PBA gets permit from Pasig to host new conference starting with 3×3 league

PBA set to open its 3×3 tournament in November. INQUIRER FILE

MANILA, Philippines—The PBA has gotten the go signal from the local government to host its inaugural 3×3 competition at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig beginning November 20.

While contact sports like basketball remain prohibited in Pasig, Pasig mayor Vico Sotto announced that PBA has been given a special permit to hold competitions.

“Hinihingi ko po ang inyong kooperation, bawal po muna ang contact sports, maliban kung may special permit, katulad ng PBA,” wrote Sotto on Facebook Wednesday. 

(I ask for your cooperation, contact sports are still prohibited unless you have a special permit like the PBA.)

League commissioner Willie Marcial said the PBA is just waiting for the formal written communication from Sotto’s office.

Hinihingi ko po ang inyong kooperasyon: BAWAL PO MUNA ANG CONTACT SPORTS (unless w special permit, like PBA).

Nag-desisyon ako pagkatapos ng isang Consultation Meeting kasama ang mga Kapitan. Nakarating kami sa isang consensus na dapat huwag munang payagan ang contact sports. pic.twitter.com/Fhzx2c22Ei

— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) November 10, 2021

“It’s all system’s go for the 3×3, although there’s no official letter yet from the Mayor’s Office, but Mayor Vico has already expressed his approval on Facebook,” said Marcial as per PBA.ph. 

While the 3×3 competition is in line with the Governors’ Cup, Marcial said the league will still wait for all the foreign players to arrive.

The Commissioner’s Office said that San Miguel’s Brandon Brown, Alaska’s Olu Ashaolu, and NorthPort’s Cameron Forte are set to arrive the earliest.

“It’s a reinforced conference so that’s why all of the imports should be here,” said Marcial in Filipino. “We’re a bit lenient on deadlines regarding the imports because of the situation we’re in right now.”

“Because of the pandemic, there’s a bit of difficulty in processing the papers and there’s also the quarantine protocols that the imports have to go through. They also have to practice first with their teams.”