TO shift back to a full-calendar season with possible participation of a guest team in one conference and a continuing support to Gilas Pilipinas and its mission.
These are on top of the agenda as members of the PBA Board of Governors fly to Osaka, Japan Saturday for their annual planning session ahead of a big year leading to the league's 50th grand season.
Commissioner Willie Marcial and the members of the league management committee, and chairman Ricky Vargas and the rest of the board have all confirmed their attendance in the summit.
Also attending the gab are top officials from the league's broadcast partners -- Cignal TV and MediaQuest top honcho Jane Basas, TV5 president and CEO Guido Zaballero and Cignal TV EVP Sienna Olaso.
"We're to sit in a meeting optimistic of a good year ahead and hopeful we can come up with plans and programs that can make the PBA more exciting and interesting for basketball fans," said Marcial.
Sponsored content: "Kumpleto kami," added Marcial, referring to a delegation including vice chairman Bobby Rosales from Terrafirma, treasurer Raymond Zorrilla from Phoenix, Erick Arejola from NorthPort, Archen Cayabyab from Converge, Alfrancis Chua from Barangay Ginebra, Ronald Dulatre from NLEX, Mamerto Mondragon from Rain or Shine, Robert Non from San Miguel Beer, William Pamintuan from Meralco, Rene Pardo from Magnolia and Silliman Sy from Blackwater.
After slashing its calendar to two conferences in support of Gilas' campaign in a number of international gigs, the PBA swings back to a full season that kicks off with the Governors Cup starting on Aug. 18.
Up for resolution in the Osaka conference is a new tournament format that is heavy on playoff matches.
Under the proposal, the 12 teams will be divided into two groups, playing two rounds within the group. Then the top four from each group advance to the playoffs - a best-of-five affair in the quarterfinals, best-of-seven semis and best-of-seven finals.
"Tingin kasi namin mas gusto ng fans ang playoff matches. Susubukan natin sa first conference, and we'll see," said Marcial.
Sponsored content: Applying the "Z format" from the finishes of the teams last season, it will be San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra, Rain or Shine, Phoenix, Blackwater and NLEX in one group and Meralco, TNT, Magnolia, NorthPort, Terrafirma and Converge on the other side.
For the other import-flavored tourney later in the season, an added spice is the likely participation of a club team from Hong Kong, bringing back to mind the success of the Season 47 Commissioner's Cup punctuated by the massively-followed Ginebra-Bay Area Dragons finale.
Also high on the agenda in the Osaka meeting is the lineup of activities in preparation and as part of the celebration leading to the league's golden season next year.
Cignal TV and TV5 will give their reports from last season and lay down their own plans to best dish out the PBA games to the TV viewing public.
For the league's support to Gilas which is now to compete in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, the league commissioner said: "Hindi mawawala ang suporta natin dyan." (SB)
