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MANILA, Philippines - PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad yesterday confirmed a meeting will be held to discuss a possible merger or working relationship with Liga Pilipinas this Monday even as the 27-year-old league prepares to open its new season on Feb. 13 with at least five teams at the San Juan Arena.

Trinidad, on his 11th year as the PBL commissioner, disclosed that PBA chairman Lito Alvarez phoned the other day to suggest a merger and will preside in the Monday meeting where Liga president and SBP executive director Noli Eala is expected to attend.

Trinidad also said the two leagues’ operations directors – the PBL’s Butch Maniego and Liga’s Butch Antonio – are in close contact, conferring with each other on possible points of working together for the good of basketball.

“We’re looking for a middle ground,” said Trinidad. “At the moment, our two leagues are moving in two separate directions. The PBL is developmental with an age limit of 25 and Metro Manila-based while Liga is a vehicle for players of all ages in major cities all over the country. Even before we talk about a merger, it’s important to agree on concepts. Are we still relevant? Are we just out to survive or do we want to expand? Only after we lay down the directions for both leagues can we begin to discuss how to work together.”

Trinidad said a working relationship between the PBL and Liga is possible even without a merger.


“Liga plays pocket tournaments all over the country and the PBL could participate in the Metro Manila leg,” said Trinidad. “Basically, the PBL would like to stay in Metro Manila because that’s where our franchises are based but I think it’s an attractive proposition to play outside of Metro Manila, too, in terms of expanding markets for our sponsors.”

Trinidad said aside from Alvarez, Robert Non of San Miguel Corp. and Buddy Encarnado of Sta. Lucia Realty are backing up talks of a merger. San Miguel Corp. and Encarnado himself, then representing ESQ Marketing, were active participants in forming the PBL, initially known as the Philippine Amateur Basketball League, in 1983.

Trinidad admitted that only three clubs are confirmed to play in the PBL this season but at least four prospects are waiting in the wings to enlist.

“If we survive 2010, then the PBL is here to stay,” said Trinidad. “We’ve got a strong tradition to uphold and we’re determined to cross the bridge. We just have to set things in motion. Step 1 means we’ll push through with our season on Feb. 13, maybe a short conference, and Step 2 means we’ll restart in mid-April, possibly a longer conference with Liga. I see no problem in agreeing to a working relationship. We all share a passion for basketball and we’re doing this for the love of the game.”

Trinidad said PBL chairman Jappy Pascual of Pharex has given the go-signal to pursue other teams to get the season going.

“We’re not at liberty to make disclosures at this point but we’ve got four prospects lined up,” said Trinidad. “So far, committed to play are Pharex, Galvastar and Asia Brewery. A team that used to be a PBL mainstay may come back. Another team on leave may reconsider and play. Phoenix Oil was ready to join with the nucleus of the Adamson team under coach Leo Austria and I think there’s a sponsor willing to take over. Then, there’s another team waiting for more teams to join.”

Trinidad said former PBL chairman Dioceldo Sy of Ever Bilena would’ve returned to the fold but decided to stay focused on supporting the SBP’s national women’s program.

“For Mr. Sy, it was one or the other,” said Trinidad. “He’s now involved with the national women’s team and it’s a higher calling. We fully support Mr. Sy’s decision and in any way we can assist him, we will.”

Source: Joaquin Henson  | Philstar.com