The PBA hopes for a longer season than the previous one with plans to stage two conferences during a 10-month period under a semi-bubble format starting April 11.
PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said that the league aims to open the 46th season with the centerpiece Philippine Cup followed by a longer version of the import-laden Governors’ Cup.
Pending the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force, games will be played in Metro Manlla under the observance of health and safety protocols that limit the movement of teams from home to playing or practice venues and back.
“It is our hope that we would be able to bring 10 months of basketball in the Philippines starting April 11,” Vargas said Tuesday, March 9, 2021 in a virtual press conference from the PBA Office in Libis.
He was physically joined in the press conference by commissioner Willie Marcial, vice chairman Bobby Rosales of Terrafirma and team governors Dickie Bachmann of Alaska and Meralco’s Al Panlilio, also the president of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Vargas said the first four months of the season will be allotted for the Philippine Cup while the Governors’ Cup will be played for six months under a double-round elimination format.
The same Governors’ Cup rules for imports are going to be applied as teams are allowed to tap foreign players 6-foot-5 and under.
Having a semi-bubble season is something the PBA hopes would get clearance from the government after the 45th staging of the pro league pushed through inside the bubble in Pampanga.