PBA releases timetable for next conference and Rookie Draft ceremony

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) already released its next set of activities to formalize the start of its upcoming 48th season.

In another session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum last August 8, 2023, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial bared that the next season of the league will be kicking off this October 15, 2023, to be held at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The PBA is currently taking a break due to the country’s hosting of the FIBA World Cup which will begin this August 25, 2023.

Philippines will be designating two main venues for the prestigious hoops tournament that will feature top-tier nations USA, Dominican Republic, and Italy.

In addition, commissioner Marcial said that the 48th season will be having two conferences with each one estimated to run for six months.

Aside from the opening of the 48th season, the PBA will also be holding its annual Rookie Draft on September 17, 2023, to take place at the Market! Market! in Taguig City.

Before the draft, the applicants that will meet the final criteria for the ceremony will be undergoing a PBA Draft Combine that will measure their skills to be graced by the scouts of the various franchises.

The PBA Draft Combine is set to begin from September 12-13 at the Gatorade Hoops Dome in Mandaluyong City.

In the import-laced conference, the Bay Area Dragons are expected to return as confirmed by commissioner Marcial two weeks ago.

“The PBA is very excited about adding in a Hong Kong element to our upcoming Commissioner’s Cup, and we look forward to the Bay Area Dragons team re-joining the PBA,” Marcial said.