Crucial PBA board meeting in Bangkok today

THE PHILIPPINE Basketball Association’s board of governors tackles the ticklish issue of whether to lend players to the Asiad-bound Philippine team during its annual planning session set in Bangkok today.

Kelly Williams, Asi Taulava and reigning MVP James Yap are on the wish list of the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas live that will play in the Guangzhou Asiad this November. Rene Pardo, the Derby Ace representative, will formally take over as chair of the board with the other officers to also start assuming their posts. Lawyer Mamerto Mondragon of Rain or Shine will be the new vice chair, while Powerade’s Jose Bayani Baylon will be the body’s new treasurer. The members of the board will leave at 10:30 this morning on a PAL flight today. The board will also discuss the proposed rules changes on the officiating by new commissioner Chito Salud. “We believe the simplified version of the rules will prevent confusion and errors,” Salud said. With the help of Solar TV, Salud had said that the league will use all available technology to aid the referees in providing better officiating. The height limit of reinforcements for the two import-spiced events will also be on the agenda.