PBA to traverse Canada

MANILA, Philippines — PBA commissioner Willie Marcial continues to look beyond local shores in paving the way for the league to grow with its 50th anniversary coming next year. The international market is wide open for the PBA and while inroads have been made through games in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Guam and Dubai and a partnership with EASL, Marcial is now exploring a path to Canada.

Last March, Toronto Raptors front office executive Julian Franklin visited Manila and paid a call on PBA chairman Ricky Vargas and Marcial, signifying interest to collaborate. He was accompanied by Canadian Embassy trade commissioner (information, communications technology and creative industries) Charlene Ferrer. Franklin is Partnership Development and Strategy vice president of the Raptors’ corporate owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Since entering the NBA in 1995, Toronto has bagged seven division titles, one conference crown and one league championship in 2019. The Raptors fan base is widespread and with about a million Filipinos in Canada, Marcial said there is strong basis to reach out.

Marcial recently reciprocated Franklin’s visit with a meeting in Toronto. “Pinag-usapan namin mag-collab,” said Marcial. “Maraming options on the table at excited kami sa possibilities.” During his Canada trip, Marcial joined the Gilas Legends Tour in Calgary where the traveling team played the University of Calgary varsity before a big crowd that included Filipino fans. He conferred with Go Hard Sports head Danilo Cruz and other Fil-Canadian organizers Roderick Liwanag and Alexander Tumang on plans for the future.

Marcial said bringing a PBA team to Calgary to play an exhibition before holding an official PBA game could be the next step but also spoke about setting up a Batang PBA program in the city. The PBA launched the Batang PBA in 2004 and this year, held its 18th edition with 11-under and 15-under divisions for boys and girls. Marcial said a version of Batang PBA could be an option to stage in Calgary, open to Filipinos and Canadians alike. Camps to be conducted by PBA players in Canada and Raptors players in Manila are up for discussion.