Transition league formed with PBL-Liga merger

The Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and the Liga Pilipinas decided to merge and agreed to hold its first-ever joint tournament in June, which serves as a preparatory season in the PBA’s ambitious development league. The PBL is the longest running amateur cage league in the country and a source of talent for future professional players. Liga, meanwhile, is a vehicle for players from different regions to be discovered. On Wednesday, officials of both basketball groups met and signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) putting the premier amateur cage league and its regional counterpart under one organization. Present in the MOA signing were PBL chairman Ding Camua of Pascual Laboratories, Magnolia Purewater’s Robert Non, Liga chief executive officer Noli Eala and witnessed by PBA chairman Lito Alvarez and SBP deputy executive director Bernardo Atienza. “This is a great day for local basketball. Not only will this ensure the continued existence of a strong non-amateur league from where the PBA can draw its talents from, this also enables both the PBL and Liga to continue with their programs," said Alvarez. The inaugural tournament is slated June 5 with a target of between seven to 12 teams competing from both leagues. An executive committee was named to oversee the project while working committees were also formed to accomplish the many tasks that need to be done in the merger of the two leagues. The ExeComm is composed of Alvarez, PBL representatives Camua, Chito Loyzaga and Virgilio Angeles while Eala, Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno and Joe Soberano (Mandaue) are representing Liga. After two weeks, three seats will be given to the PBA, which has delegated Buddy Encarnado of Sta. Lucia as head to be assisted by Non (alternate board governor of Ginebra) and Pato Gregorio (alternate board governor of Talk ‘N Text). The three will observe the league in preparation for the creation of the PBA’s transition league – patterned to the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) in the National Basketball Association – next year. Martinez top candidate for commissioner post Perry Martinez, who worked as technical director for all three leagues, is reportedly being eyed as the commissioner of the transition league. He will be the likely candidate to head the technical committee of this new joint tournament. A highly-placed source told GMANews.TV that Mariano has the inside track to become the commissioner since he has the support of Liga representatives. The PBL, which was orphaned by the resignation of commissioner Chino Trinidad, is still undecided on who will they nominate as the new league’s commissioner. The source said that PBL executive director Butch Maniego, who is now the caretaker of the league, would definitely beg off due to health reasons. – JVP/Rey Joble, GMANews.TV