PBA charts course of action in Macau

PBA top officials will look how to best execute their plans, improve programs that are already in place and resolve certain issues as they depart today for Macau for a three-day conference three weeks before the opening of the 33rd PBA season.

The PBA board headed by chairman Tony Chua, league officer-in-charge Sonny Barrios and other key PBA officials take the Air Macau 10 a.m. flight, hoping to come up with ideas and decisions that would help  firm up  the league and, at the same time, serve the best interest of the fans.

They’re booked at the Rio Hotel where they are to hold planning session the next three days, geared at improving the league and sustaining gains it has achieved particularly last season.

“My No. 1 aim is to keep, if not improve, the PBA’s status as the No. 1 sports entertainment in the country. I want the fans to continue to enjoy PBA games,” said Chua.

“My predecessor, chairman Ricky Vargas, has done a good job. He’s a tough act to follow. But with the support of the board, I’m confident the PBA will continue to flourish,” Chua added.

The board chair calls this particular planning session as “directional meeting,” explaining they will look how to approach issues they can’t immediately resolve.

Among the matters in the agenda are the proposed  PBA coliseum, the selection process for the permanent commissioner, the bidding for the TV broadcast rights  after the 2007-08 season, PBA Entertainment and PBA gaming.

The budget for the coming season and the proposed new game rules are issues likely to be approved right in the Macau meeting.

Barrios  is confident the proposed budget will get the board approval since it has gotten the nod of the executive board.

“The good thing was that the budget was about 85 percent done when I came in. Heads of the different departments helped me complete it,” Barrios also said.

Barrios expects other committees to be formed to make the feasibility study and execution of other PBA programs.