PBA set for October tip-off with Commissioner's Cup

The Philippine Basketball Association will have some changes from its usual schedule as it will open its 48th season with the import-laden Commissioner's Cup in October.

According to an update on Saturday, the league will commence on October 15 as it has to make way for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup and the Asian Games in China.

"It's a sacrifice and a challenge for the PBA, but we're more than willing to do this in support of Gilas Pilipinas," said PBA chairman Ricky Vargas in their planning session in Paris.

The Bay Area Dragons will also return in the Commissioner's Cup, but with only one import. Reinforcements have a height limit of 6-foot-9 for the said conference.

It will have the same format with a round robin elimination, with the top eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals. The top two teams will have twice-to-beat advantages while Nos. 3 to 6 will face off in a best-of-three series. The semifinals will have a best-of-five while the finals will be a best-of-seven affair.

After then, the league will have the Philippine Cup as its season-ender as the PBA will only have two conferences for the upcoming season.

In the planning session, Willie Marcial was also given a fresh three-year extension as league commissioner, with his term ending in the 2026-27 season.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News