PBA shuts down rumors of Alaska exit

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has shut down rumors of Alaska's exit from the league.

In an online forum with the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) on Tuesday, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said the franchise will not be going anywhere.

"As of now, sa pagkakaalam ko at kausap ko si [Alaska] Governor Dickie Bachmann, wala, hindi aalis ang Alaska sa PBA as of now," he said.

"Di ko alam kung saan galing 'yun pero pitong taon ko nang naririnig na aalis ang Alaska sa PBA. Hindi nangyayari," Marcial added. "Nakausap ko si Governor Dickie, tinawanan lang ako."

In a statement, Alaska said their organization is "eager for the season to resume," which has been halted by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

"Alaska is staying the course to show that our team will always contribute to the welfare of the league, and be part of the good to make a better world through our passion for basketball," it added.

Alaska has been a member of the PBA since 1986 and has a total of 14 championships under its belt, the second most number of titles in the league. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA News