The newly-formed Pilipinas Super League is all set to hold its inaugural conference beginning on March 18 in Dipolog City and Roxas City in Zamboanga del Norte.
So far, 11 teams have confirmed their participation in the regional-based tournament that’s looking at a maximum field of 12 teams.
Super League president Rocky Chan and commissioner Marc Pingris bared the latest developments regarding the league during Tuesday’s online Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.
Chan said the final composition will be announced next week but those in the fold include El Nido in Palawan, Cagayan Valley, Bicol, Lapu-Lapu in Cebu, Davao Occidental, Cagayan de Oro, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, and Basilan.
“There are others knocking on the door but we will lock in on 12 teams,” said Chan. “We want to stabilize the league first so we can give proper exposure to the teams and the sponsors. It’s not that easy to accommodate more teams.”
Pingris, who retired from the PBA in May last year after a career that lasted 16 years, expressed his enthusiasm for assuming the role as commissioner and vowed to give his best performing his duties.
“I think my long experience playing in the PBA has given me a glimpse of how to run a league. But our primary goal in putting up the Super League is to provide inspiration to our young players,” he said.
Chan said while teams may openly hire any available player in the market, including ex-pros, they have to make sure that players from their respective regions or provinces are given proper exposure.
“We will follow the 2-2-1 format of two reinforced players, two regional players and one local player at any given time on the floor,” Chan told the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
He said the tournament will follow the single-round elimination format heading to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.
Pingris, who’s also serving as one of the assistant coaches with Gilas Pilipinas, said the league is looking at a three-conference format each year, and if the COVID-19 situation further improves, the home-and-away format will be applied.
The Super League also has plans to stage an Under-21 tournament or its own version of the D-League in the future.
