Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

3x3 Basketball

PBA expansion to happen in 3×3 not 5-on-5, says Marcial


Will the PBA expand beyond 12 teams?

That has been a question asked by many, whose answer remains to be seen. But Commissioner Willie Marcial himself revealed that there have been two entities interested to join the league as expansion teams.

The amiable executive said as much in Power And Play hosted by Noli Eala, although he did not name which companies are those and he isn’t sure at this point, too, if such plans will ultimately materialize.

“Last year may dalawang gustong mag-apply,” he said. “So hindi ko alam kung gusto pa ba nila, depende rin dun sa pandemya. Pero last year sinabihan na nila ako gusto raw nilang pumasok sa PBA. So tignan natin.”

Fans have long been clamoring for the PBA to add more teams, given the amount of fresh blood that arrives every year. The league last welcomed expansion teams in 2014 with Blackwater, NLEX, and Kia.

Chairman Ricky Vargas, however, had said in 2019 that doing so isn’t on the horizon yet, citing their commitment to Gilas Pilipinas and the stretching of the league’s calendar further.

Former league chief Chito Salud isn’t also fond of the idea. In a guesting in the same program last year, he said that the aforementioned teams should “garner enough clout and fans” before adding new teams.

The league’s expansion happened under his term.

But for now, a possible expansion could take place in the PBA 3×3, according to Marcial. He said that around three to five teams are interested to join the separate league expected to begin this year.

#ReadMore  KCS looks to for a Visayas Leg repeat in VisMin Southern Finals

“Ang daming gustong pumasok pa. Bukod sa 12 teams natin, may gusto pa pumasok na three to five teams na pumasok sa 3×3 natin,” he said.

“So andami, mabibigyan natin ng hanapbuhay yung mga yun.”

With the diaspora of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 players to the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft, the league is set to have no. 1 Joshua Munzon, no. 2 Alvin Pasaol, no. 5 Troy Rike, no. 6 Santi Santillan, and no. 8 Franky Johnson. Also in the league right now are no. 10 Roosevelt Adams (Terrafirma) and no. 13 Aris Dionisio (Magnolia).

The third-year league chief hopes that they could start the 3×3 inaugurals by March — even before the regular 5-on-5 tournament, which is targeted to open on the league’s 46th anniversary on April 9.

“Yung 3×3 bubuuin natin, baka nga–sana–mabuo na natin bago pa magsimula yung April 9. Bago pa magsimula ang 5-on-5. So sana masimulan na natin mga Marso.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.




You May Also Like

Basketball

The PBA has suspended two of its high-ranking officials for committing procedural lapses in handling Cliff Hodge’s case that marred Magnolia’s win over Meralco...

Basketball

The PBA is revising its 2025 Philippine Cup schedule to make way for Meralco’s Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia) 2025 campaign. All team...

Basketball

There’s no particular timetable set, but the Philippine Basketball Association is hoping to welcome a new team in time for its 50th season. Especially...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Another major player has thrown its name into the hat after Family’s Brand Sardines once again expressed interest in joining the PBA....

Basketball

Three interested buyers are now in talks with the Philippine Basketball Association now that Starhorse Shipping Lines, Inc. is out of the picture. Two...

Basketball

The PBA is no longer pushing through with its 2025 All-Star festivities. Commissioner Willie Marcial admitted that the prospective host is unavailable to hold...

Basketball

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is postponing its 2025 All-Star Weekend in Davao due to the growing security concerns in the province. Commissioner Willie...

Basketball

The Philippine Basketball Association is further ramping up its efforts in a bid to lure in more fans for its 50th-anniversary games on April...

Advertisement