PBA's D-League plan gets solid backing

The plan to organize a developmental league is fast getting the support of the majority of the Philippine Basketball Association board. PBA commissioner Atty. Chito Salud said he and his staff are now in the final stages of completing the blueprint that would give birth to the ambitious project aimed primarily at developing basketball in new areas of competition. The plan of coming up with a D-League, which is patterned after the NBA’s NBDL, was first brought up by former PBA chairman Lito Alvarez. Under the initial set-up, the Philippine Basketball League and Liga Pilipinas will merge and will create a league of their own. This happened recently with the establishment of the Tournament of the Philippines featuring teams from both leagues.

But the PBA, Asia’s first professional cage league which is now on its 36th season, wants to be at the forefront of the D-League. The plan is currently in the works and its launching could possibly take place next year. “The PBA is not just about being the country’s top sports entertainment league. Our constitution mandates us to be involved in the development of Philippine basketball and to encourage greater participation in the game by opening new areas of competition," Salud explained. For PBA chairman Rene Pardo of B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados, the PBA-D League is a step toward that direction. “In my point of view the PBA needs an amateur league like the Developmental League for its continued success," said Pardo. “At the same time, organizing the Developmental League will help enhance the skills and talents of players 17 to 26 years old in the grassroots level. They could be future PBA stars." Governor Ricky Vargas of Talk N Text said that the creation of the D-League has already received the backing of other members of the board. “I fully support the idea," Vargas told GMANews.TV. “I support the plans of Commissioner Salud and the PBA board to organize the PBA D-League, especially if the objective is to push the development of basketball in the grassroots and LGU level." Salud, who became the league’s eighth commissioner upon succeeding Sonny Barrios at the end of the PBA’s 35th season, added that the D-League plan is now in its finishing touches. “We are finalizing the rules and tournament format for the D-League, and as soon as the Board of Governors gives its clearance, we shall launch it in 2011," Salud said. But not everyone wholeartedly accepts the idea regarding the creation of the D-League. Alaska board governor Joaqui Trillo said that the timing is not yet right for the PBA to enter such a new venture. “If you will ask me, I’m still not in favor of the creation of a D-League. We still have the UAAP and the NCAA and other collegiate leagues," said Trillo in a telephone interview. - KY, GMANews.TV