PBA open for expansion

PBA Willie Marcial

FILE – PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

MANILA, Philippines—Being the top and most prestigious professional basketball league in the country, the PBA has never failed to draw interest from companies keen on joining the association.

On Tuesday, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial revealed he is in talks with two parties “seriously considering” becoming the newest members of Asia’s pioneering basketball league.

“There are always teams that approach us. Now, there are two teams seriously considering but I don’t know if they’ll push through completely so I don’t want to name them yet,” said Marcial in Filipino during the PSA Forum at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The league currently has 12 clubs in tow, 13 in the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup with the Bay Area Dragons back as guest team.

Blackwater and Terrafirma are the youngest members in the league having joined the PBA in 2014.

Marcial is very much open to the idea of adding at least two more teams to beef up the competition.

“We can do up to 14 to 16 teams as long as television [schedule] is okay and we don’t get just four airings a week. If television is okay, we can field up to 14, 16,” Marcial said.

The new PBA season tips off on October 15 at Araneta Coliseum.

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