PBA board set to OK SBP request on all-pro RP 5
The PBA board meets today for its formal approval on Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ request for the pro league to loan players to the RP team for the world championship qualifier next year.
With the expected nod, the Commissioner’s Office has prepared a proposed calendar for next season, giving the national team two full months to prepare for the Asian elimination slated in China in September next year.
Polled by The STAR Tuesday, all PBA governors said they’re inclined to approve SBP’s request for as long as the PBA’s calendar will not be disrupted and the pro league doesn’t bankroll the RP team’s expenses.
Under the proposed calendar accommodating training time for the RP team, the pro league starts the 34th season on Oct. 5 and ends by the latest on
The league will use the existing format for the All-Filipino Cup but will shorten the elimination round in the reinforced tourney.
Also up for the approval is a brief invitational tourney serving as the third conference of the season.
With the loaning of players to the RP team no longer a question, what could become the main topic in the meeting is the funding.
“What’s ideal is to look for sponsor who will bankroll the national team so that the league will no longer be burdened by additional financial obligations. Taking care of the players’ salaries is already a sacrifice for the teams,” said Barrios.
The PBA chief said the SBP has assured the pro league that it is ready to look for sponsors.
San Miguel Corp. financed the team’s training and actual participation in the FIBA Asia Olympic qualifier in
An all-pro national team has played in five major international competitions. The Robert Jaworski-mentored team had the highest finish of second place in the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. – Nelson Beltran
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