HELPING Gilas Pilipinas gain glory internationally: Check. Taking in a foreign guest team and setting a new crowd record: Check. Boosting revenues: Check. Adapting to the changing times with new rules: Check. Going back to normal: Check.
In many aspects, the PBA went about business in Season 47 with much success.
"Season 2022-23 was all about supporting Gilas Pilipinas and we're proud to say, we' gave full support to Gilas highlighted by the fact the PBA, through its board of governors, approved a one-conference scratch and delayed the opening of the 48th season because of the Asian Games," chairman Ricky Vargas reported in Tuesday's press launch for Season 48.
"We also saw Bay Area Dragons from Hong Kong join the Commissioner's Cup. The competition was tough and in that process, the seventh game (finals) between Ginebra and Bay Area broke all (attendance) records with 54,589 at the Philippine Arena," he added.
Vargas shared that the league's revenue growth is "nearing pre-pandemic level."
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"That just goes to show the PBA is slowly, surely getting back on track in spite of the fact that we have to cancel one conference and delay the opening of the new season," he said as he thanked the team owners as well as broadcast partner TV5 and advertisers for allowing this in the interest of the national team.
The PBA chairman from the TNT franchise also lauded the launch of the PBA's esports program; the implementation of less-stringent policy on players plying their trade overseas and relaxed rules on rookie draft applicants, which led to a record 140 applicants; the decision to expand the PBA membership; establishing strong ties with leagues overseas; and offering out-of-town games again.
Of course, the highest point was Gilas' inspiring journey to Asiad gold.
"The year ended by us taking the challenge of building a hastily-formed team of PBA players and we came home with the gold. The PBA is now the gold standard of basketball in the Philippines, that's what I think. But more importantly, we're the best in Asia for the next four years," said Vargas.
All these have given PBA officials much excitement for Season 48.
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"Our overarching battlecry is: Let's bring the PBA back to normal," PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said in a well-attended press launch yesterday.
"Back to three conferences, back to being able to reinvigorate the PBA, and get to where we were pre-pandemic. That's what we want moving forward." (OL)
