Salud targets banner 37th PBA season

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from ending his first year at the helm on a high note, PBA commissioner Chito Salud said yesterday he expects the league to post even more gains in its 37th season opening Oct. 2 with improved TV coverage and ratings.

Salud was credited for bringing back the three-conference format after five years and it triggered a sharp surge in gate receipts without taxing the players an excessive number of games.  In the 2009-10 campaign, Purefoods played the most contests, 64, in a two-conference format.  Last season, Talk ‘N’ Text had the same maximum games of 64 but played in three conferences, meaning an extended schedule that allowed for more rest in between outings.

Because there were three titles at stake, the fans were treated to as many best-of-seven finals.  It’s no secret that in the PBA, as in the NBA, ticket sales are higher in the playoffs than during the eliminations.  And during the playoffs, the finals generate the most turnstile income.

“Our gross gate receipts increased by 20 percent,” said Salud in pointing out the success of the three-conference format in terms of the bottom line. 

Another credit for Salud was bringing the PBA fold back to 10 teams.  The new season will welcome Shopinas, formerly Barako Bull, to join holdovers Petron, Talk ‘N’ Text, B-Meg, Barangay Ginebra, Rain Or Shine, Alaska, Barako Bull (formerly Air 21), Meralco and Powerade.

Salud said the influx of rookies will bring about a more fast-paced game to excite the fans.  In the draft last month, the league broke the practice of limiting itself to two rounds and went as far as four in selecting 24 players.  Alaska and Barako Bull were the topnotchers with four picks apiece.  Shopinas, Petron and Powerade chose three each.  Selecting two were Barangay Ginebra and Meralco while B-Meg, Rain Or Shine and Talk ‘N’ Text picked one each.

Of the 24 draftees, eight had Gilas experience – Jvee Casio, Chris Lutz, Marcio Lassiter, Mark Barroca, Mac Baracael, Jason Ballesteros, Dylan Ababou and Magi Sison.  Other blue-chippers plucked in the draft included Paul Lee, Allein Maliksi, Reil Cervantes, Pamboy Raymundo and Eric Salamat. 

Aside from the new players, the league will also usher in new coaches – Franz Pumaren with Shopinas, Joel Banal with Alaska, Siot Tanquingcen returning as Ginebra head coach, Junel Baculi returning as Barako Bull head coach and Tim Cone with B-Meg. 

Salud said with TV-5 as the league’s new broadcast partner, the PBA is aiming for unprecedented quality coverage moving from six analog to eight high definition cameras, two to eight microphones plus a boom and a brand-new P120 Million OB Van with an eight to 10-camera capacity.  Additionally, he said the partnership will lead to a more aggressive marketing initiative.

Salud added that he still hopes to raise the salary cap by 20 percent even as adjustments have already been approved to increase the minimum monthly pay for players.  For the coming season, Salud said the second conference will feature imports with unlimited height and the third conference, the limit will be 6-5.  He mentioned that there will be no handicapping and only knockout games will determine elimination and playoff survivors.

As for other goals this coming season, Salud said he plans a tie-up with Coca-Cola on social responsibility and other outreach programs.  “We’re aiming to surpass gate receipts of last season and improve our TV coverage and ratings,” added Salud.

On the possibility of playing PBA games at the soon-to-be-unveiled Mall of Asia stadium with a 16,000-seat capacity, Salud said, “The arena will open in May 2012 in time for the PBA third conference … some games not scheduled at the Smart Araneta Coliseum might be played there.”