PBA studying possible entry of 3 more teams

Marcial disclosed this during the PBA All-Star Mindanao-leg on Wednesday at the Davao del Sur Coliseum in Digos City. Although he did not reveal the name of the teams, Marcial said these groups already have experience in playing the PBA D-League. (Wikimedia commons, Fair use)

DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur — Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Willie Marcial said at least three prospective teams have expressed intention to join the country’s premier basketball league.

Marcial disclosed this during the PBA All-Star Mindanao-leg on Wednesday at the Davao del Sur Coliseum in Digos City. Although he did not reveal the name of the teams, Marcial said these groups already have experience in playing the PBA D-League.

“Pinag-aaralan pa ito, kasi itong 12 nahirapan na kami, so tingnan lang muna namin (We’re studying this first because we’re already experiencing difficulties managing the 12 teams that we currently have),” he said.

Marcial said that if the entry of the three teams pushes through, the league might have daily game schedules to accommodate the 15 teams.

He said there are already initial deliberations on the league’s expansion but it remains subject for approval of the board of governors.

Marcial said that before any expansion can happen, the board will ensure that all teams can have better competition.

Meanwhile, the PBA commissioner also said that there are already trade proposals on his table and that these are being deliberated on by the trade committee.

Marcial cited the trade of Terrence Romeo to Talk N Text Katropa from Globalport Batang Pier as an example, saying that it has already undergone series of discussions before the committee makes its decision.