Philippine Superliga chairman Philip Ella Juico insisted that the league remains as strong as ever amidst the activities of its ball clubs the past few weeks.
The PSL just lost Cignal and PLDT to the now-pro PVL. Meanwhile, Petron, Generika-Ayala, and Marinerong Pilipina have taken a pandemic-related leave of absence.
That hasn’t fazed the PSL, though. Juico even revealed that they are currently in talks with two to three other teams to play next season.
“For indoor, which was supposed to be on March 15, will be moved back at the request of the teams. That will give us more time to finish our presentation to the two or three teams that we have invited,” Juico said during Tuesday’s edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum, powered by SMART and presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
“Of course, we are concerned but we are not anxious.”
That’s aside from F2 Logistics, Sta. Lucia, Cherry Tigo, and Petro Gazz, who will play as guest teams as long as there will be no conflict with its PVL schedule.
“Right now, we have four strong teams in Sta. Lucia, F2, Chery Tigo, and guest team Petro Gazz. The commitment of Petro Gazz is to mainly play in PSL for as long as there is no conflict,” Juico said.
“There will be no conflict.”
Still, the PSL remains firm in saying that it will not go pro.
Juico cited that situation of American basketball back in the 70s where the league had two pro leagues in the NBA and the ABA. The ABA eventually folded and was absorbed by the NBA.
“Our board and team owners, the ones that are still with us, want to still be non-professional.
“We realized that there is no reason to have two pro leagues. It’s a question of common sense. We are happy here and we have a niche here. Bakit pa natin ipipilit? Nandiyan na eh. That’s the thinking our team owners have,” he said.
