Coms or Govs Cup for next season?

There’s still nothing sure as to what will be the format of the PBA’s second conference next season. It could be the Commissioner’s Cup where the import height limit is under 6-10 or the Governors’ Cup where the ceiling is under 6-6. The Philippine Cup will start the 48th campaign, possibly in October after the Asian Games on Sept. 23-Oct. 8. This season, the Philippine Cup opened last June and ended in the first week of September then the Commissioner’s Cup started in the third week of September and finished last weekend with the Governors Cup set to begin on Sunday.

Instead of three conferences, the PBA will roll out two in the coming season to give way to Gilas’ participation in the FIBA World Cup on Aug. 25-Sept. 10. The league is compacting the Governors Cup schedule to close in late April so Gilas coach Chot Reyes has a free hand to pick the PBA players for the national team out to regain the gold medal at the SEA Games in Cambodia on May 5-17. During the Governors’ Cup, Gilas will battle Lebanon on Feb. 24 and Jordan on Feb. 27 in the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asia qualifiers with both games at the Philippine Arena. Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee, now officially a naturalized citizen, will make his Gilas debut in the final qualifying window. Brownlee will also play for Ginebra in the Governors’ Cup and suit up for Gilas in the SEA Games. The same grueling grind is expected for other Ginebra/Gilas players Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar and Jamie Malonzo.

The PBA is finishing the Governors’ Cup early not only for the SEA Games but also to jump-start Gilas’ training for the FIBA World Cup. Right after the SEA Games, Gilas will plunge into deep training abroad likely for three months, the longest period ever for a PBA-backed national team to prepare for an international competition. NBA star Jordan Clarkson, listed as a naturalized player by FIBA, has committed to stay with Gilas for six weeks, including the World Cup duration. Brownlee will be Clarkson’s backup at practice since FIBA disallows more than one naturalized player for each national squad.

If the next PBA season opens in October, the draft will probably be held in September. That will give varsity players more than enough time to study their options – whether to go overseas or apply for the draft or in the case of non-graduates, extend their collegiate careers. There is talk that while Gilas is in training, the PBA will conduct a pocket tournament to keep the 12 teams active. Bay Area may be available to play during that stretch although coach Brian Goorjian will likely be busy with the Australian national team getting ready for the World Cup. The Dragons’ participation in future PBA conferences is still to be discussed. Goorjian said if the invitation comes, he hopes Bay Area could play again. The inaugural EASL home-and-away season will be launched in October during the Philippine Cup so the Dragons won’t be in the PBA mix unless the league starts off the next season with the Commissioner’s or Governors Cup. Exciting times are ahead in basketball this year.