Will we see two new teams in the PBA?

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial wasn’t hesitant to share any news and developments regarding the league as Season 46 fast approaches.

When asked if the PBA will have the chance to expand and add to the current 12 participating franchises, Marcial disclosed that there were two companies who expressed their interest in joining the league.

“Last year may dalawang gustong mag-apply. So hindi ko alam kung gusto pa ba nila, depende rin dun sa pandemya. Pero last year sinabihan na nila ako gusto raw nilang pumasok sa PBA. So tingnan natin,” said Marcial.

With a successful Clark, Pampanga bubble last season, Marcial and the rest of the PBA board are looking to move on and innovate their prepared plans for the next season but the question of the inclusion of the two interested teams remains afloat.

However, Marcial further added that the league will of course expand this 2021 but the priority will be the 3×3 league, not the 5×5.

“Yung 3×3 bubuuin natin, baka nga sana mabuo na natin bago pa magsimula yung April 9. Bago pa magsimula ang 5-on-5. So sana masimulan na natin mga Marso,” shared Marcial.

Before the pandemic broke out, the PBA was finalizing the launching of their first-ever 3×3 league but later remained stagnant due to limitations.

“Ang daming gustong pumasok pa. Bukod sa 12 teams natin, may gusto pa pumasok na three to five teams na pumasok sa 3×3 natin. So andami, mabibigyan natin ng hanapbuhay yung mga yun,” added Marcial.