PBA begins journey to ‘next 50’
PBA chairman Ricky Vargas—AUGUST DELA CRUZ
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) took the lid off its golden anniversary logo on Monday afternoon, and with it, Asia’s pioneering pro league’s hopes for another 50 years of existence.
“While we’re all very excited about all these events, there’s one thing that is very clear: That we are going to reach out to the community,” chair Ricky Vargas said in a short press briefing held at Cignal Launchpad in Mandaluyong City.
“We are going to reach out to the basketball fans, and we will redefine our relationship with our basketball fans. We will redefine our team’s relationship with the public,” he went on.
READ: Selection team formed for PBA 50 greatest list
The new logo, an all-gold rendition of the previous league seal adorned with the number 50, will be showcased in team kits beginning in the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
Vargas, alongside Commissioner Willie Marcial, Vice Chair Alfrancis Chua and Treasurer Raymond Zorrilla, who are both also serving as team governors, detailed the league’s plans leading up to the April 9 founding anniversary and opening of the 50th season set this Oct. 5.
The PBA is hoping to reel back in its past players, officials and executives from across different eras in a grand homecoming where it hopes to also unveil a new championship trophy.
The league leadership also revealed a plan to reboot its school and mall tours and its flagship Homecourt, where it brings its biggest stars to various towns across the metro.
Vargas said that all these plans are products of the PBA board’s vision towards its next milestone years that were put together during a planning session back in July last year in Osaka, Japan.
“Our first question there was ‘What do we hope to do in the next 50 years? We said, why don’t we relaunch the PBA?” Vargas shared. “More of the same or something new that the Filipino can enjoy?”
“In one short statement, this has become our vision: We want the PBA to be the No. 1 entertainment league in Asia,” the longtime chair said.
The PBA is also looking to update its “Greatest” list, adding 10 more players to its iconic lot of 40 with the help of the likes of old stars Allan Caidic, Ramon Fernandez, Atoy Co, former league chief Sonny Barrios and seasoned coach Dante Silverio, among others.
“All of us 10 [in the committee] have one goal: To make sure that the players we’d choose are truly deserving to be added into the 50 Greatest,” Caidic said.
The next meeting for the screening panel is set this Feb. 27. INQ
