The Philippine Basketball Association is ready to take its act to the Gulf Region in celebration of its landmark 50th season.
Commissioner Willie Marcial on Friday announced that the league is scheduled to play on December 15 and 17 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, featuring three teams.
December 16 is the country’s national day.
As to which ball clubs are competing is yet to be determined. The same goes with the schedule, as well as the venue in which the games will be held.
“Hindi pa muna masabi ‘yung teams kasi we’ll check the schedule first,” he said. “But we have already signed the contract — December 15 and 17, Bahrain.”
Marcial said as much in a quick presser at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, during Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel and TNT.
The PBA will also hold games in Dubai in October.
The league chieftain spoke to members of the press together with Bahrain Basketball Association President Alaa Mudara.
“We are very happy to host these games in Bahrain,” said the amiable executive, himself a former player of the Bahraini men’s national team.
Mudara was accompanied by BBA officials and former La Salle guard Bader Malabes as they all served as special guests of the potential title clincher.
The Bahrain games will be held two months after the PBA plays in Dubai.
According to Marcial, the league is set to play in the Emirati city in the third week of October, although the participating teams have yet to be finalized.
Dubai has previously hosted PBA games at the Coca-Cola Arena in Al Wasl back in 201,9 featuring Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel Beer, and NLEX.
With regards to a Bahrain club possibly playing in the PBA as a guest team or in an exhibition contest, Marcial and Mudara said that they are open to it.
#WATCH: Bahrain Basketball President Alaa Mudara and PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial discuss plans to bring three teams for #PBA50 games in Bahrain 🇧🇭🏀
🎥 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/zw2tXw80cQ
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) July 23, 2025
