No Dr. J but who cares?

Julius Erving priced himself out of an invitation to grace the opening of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season today. Dr. J would’ve seen for himself the lavish ceremony the PBA will unravel in all its glory starting at 4 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

Too bad Erving, 54, chose to insist on luxurious terms instead of accepting something within reason for the chance to enjoy Filipino hospitality and to witness the country’s passion for the game.

A PBA source confided that Erving asked for an appearance fee of $12,000 and first-class airfare plus five-star accommodations for a traveling party of three. His terms included two hotel rooms, meaning one of the two rooms will be shared, free food, security and inland transportation. It wasn’t clear if Erving planned to bring his wife Turquoise with whom he has four children. Erving has confessed to being the father of 23-year-old tennis player Alexandra Stevenson who is not his wife’s daughter.

Erving’s publicist informed the PBA the Hall of Famer would stay only for three days and make three public appearances–at the PBA opening, at a dinner with the PBA Board of Governors and at a basketball clinic he will presumably conduct.

The cost to bring in Erving and two companions would’ve easily reached close to P2 million.

"Maybe, we will consider inviting Dr. J for another occasion if we find a sponsor," said a PBA insider. "At least we found out he is willing to come and open to negotiations."

PBA commissioner Noli Eala previously invited Michael Jordan to attend the opening but his assistant Estee Portnoy said His Airness would not make another trip to Asia this year after traveling to Tokyo last May.

A few weeks ago, it was reported that Jordan vacationed in the plush seven-star hotel in Dubai which, incidentally, is part of Asia.

Another National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Clyde Drexler expressed interest to visit Manila as the PBA’s guest. But his offer was not pursued. Drexler, 42, is reportedly eyeing an NBA comeback with the Denver Nuggets like Dennis Rodman who is 43.

But with what the PBA has in store for fans in its 30th season inaugurals, Erving would’ve been superfluous.

Over 250 performers are being mobilized for a one-hour show to precede the One Philippines Cup opener pitting San Miguel Beer and defending All-Filipino champion Talk ‘N’ Text. It will be a spectacular "light and magic" show to take your breath away, said the PBA’s ABC TV Sports producer Sienna Olaso.

Andy Alviz, who directed the Philippine edition of the hit musical "Miss Saigon," is on top of the show with Ding Bolanos. The highlight is a Mardis Gras version of the acrobatic Cirque de Soleil act spiced up by the appearances of sexy actress Julianna Palermo, hit band Bamboo and songbird Regine Velasquez. A stylized PBA anthem with a hip-hop accent by Louie Ocampo will be introduced.

As if that’s not enough, all 10 teams will try to outshine each other by bringing in crowd favorites as muses. Maricel Soriano, for instance, will parade for Alaska, the milk brand she endorses. Cindy Kurleto will be San Miguel Beer’s muse. Barangay Ginebra will showcase Maureen Larrazabal.

On the TV side, Olaso disclosed that Peaches Aberin has joined four other newcomers as courtside reporters. Aberin, whose sister Apples is a well-known fashion model, has done TV work for other hoop leagues so the experience will come in handy. She’s pursuing a Master’s degree in child education at the University of the Philippines. The four others are race driver Pia Boren, Pinky Prieto, Joan Bondoc and Stephanie Camacho.

Olaso said an innovation in the TV coverage is the addition of comedian Gabe Mercado as a "wildcard" in the panel. Mercado will do wacky in-venue interviews and try to sneak in his crazy comments during the coverage.

Another innovation is the 20-minute magazine program called "The PBA Huddle" before the Wednesday and Friday telecasts starting at 4 p.m. The host will be rotated among anchormen Ed Picson, Mico Halili and Mon Liboro. Other anchormen in the pool are Jude Turcuato, Benjie Santiago, Paolo Trillo and Mark Zambrano.

The team of analysts consists of Norman Black, Dominic Uy, Barry Pascua, Jason Webb, Richard del Rosario, Peter Martin, Eric Reyes, Allan Gregorio and yours truly.

The directors cast is made up of Dong Capinpuyan, Raffy Romano, Francis Jopillo and Nongnong Calanog.

Provincial games are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays which means that PBA games will now be played five days a week including the usual live schedule on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

"I’m so excited to see the season opening and I’m sure the fans share the same eagerness," said Eala. "I guarantee the long wait will be worth it. This season is going to be very exciting and more thrilling than the Fiesta Conference."

Players in new lineups are Alaska’s Bong Hawkins, FedEx’ Homer Se, Purefoods’ Mike Hrabak and Zaldy Realubit, Red Bull’s Vergel Meneses, San Miguel Beer’s Erick Canlas, Shell’s Celino Cruz and Marlon Legaspi and Talk ‘N’ Text’s Don Camaso.

Aside from Cruz, the only other rookie making his debut in the conference is Phone Pals’ guard Nino Gelig. Cruz was Talk ‘N’ Text’s third round pick in the 2002 draft but never played in the PBA. Gelig was the Phone Pals’ second round choice this year and sat out the Fiesta Conference. He was elevated to the regular lineup after the team released Jonathan de Guzman and Kahi Villa. Missing from any roster is guard Rob Johnson who was cut by Purefoods.