THE PBA is adopting a new tournament format as it braces for its golden anniversary celebration.
During the Season 49 opener Governors' Cup, the league will have the 12 teams divided into two groups of six teams each.
Teams from each group will battle each other twice during the elimination stage, or a total of 10 games for all member ballclubs.
The top four teams in each group will advance in the crossover quarterfinals, with the fifth and sixth teams from both groups eliminated outright.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said the revised format was approved during the monthly meeting of the Board of Governors last Tuesday.
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"May bago kaming format na ipinakita sa Board. Two groups yun, bale dalawang beses mong makakalaban yung nasa grupo mo," said Marcial.
The format will be in effect for the season opening Governors' Cup which features a 6-foot-6 height limit for imports.
The crossover quarterfinals will be a best-of-five series, with the four surviving teams facing in a best-of-seven semifinals.
The finals will likewise be a best-of-seven seven series.
Marcial added the change in format is just the beginning of new changes in the league going to its 50th year by 2025.
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"Sabi nga ni Chairman (Ricky Vargas) baka pwede tayong magpalit ng rules or kung ano pa yung pwede. Para new look ang gustong gawin ng Board simula sa Year 50 natin," he said. (RG)
