Will the PBA soon have a place to call its own?
That’s what league chairman Ricky Vargas wants to happen. Vargas mentioned as much during his speech after he received the President’s Award in the 25th PBA Press Corps Awards, Monday night at Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City.
“With the PBA at forty-four years old, stop renting office space.
“The board has started talking about building our own home – the home of the PBA – which I hope we are all excited for,” said Vargas, who is also the Philippine Olympic Committee president.
The league chairman was not referring to the league having its own arena to host games. Rather, he meant that the league would have its own office, since the PBA is still renting the space of their current headquarters located at the busy Libis in Quezon City.
“May plano talaga yang si Chairman [Vargas]. Opisina na may practice gym sa taas,” said league commissioner Willie Marcial. “Opisina, fitness gym, pati chapel. Pero titignan natin kung hanggang saan ang mae-explore namin.
“Kesa magrenta tayo, gumawa na tayo ng building na may practice gym. Hindi arena. Yun ang plano,” he added.
Marcial shared that they have a few locations as options for the league’s new home. One location is still within Quezon City, and the league is reviewing its accessibility as compared to their current Libis office.
“Pinag-uusapan namin kung saan may lupa na accessible sa atin saka aanuhin yung building,” he said. “May dalawang cities na. Titignan pa rin namin kung magkano and yung location.
“Isa Quezon City, yung isa saka ko na lang sasabihin.”
Still, everything has yet to be finalized. But Marcial said that Vargas is looking to start the process this year.
“Pag-uusapan pa ng board kung papaano. Gusto namin malaman kung magkano ang costs, ‘pag kaya or manghihiram sa bangko,” said Marcial. “Wala pang definite date.
“Tinatarget ni Chairman itong year na ‘to.”
