Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) — The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is looking into the possibility of having an Australian squad as a guest team in Asia’s first play-for-pay league.
This is in response to Bay Area Dragons head coach Brian Goorjian’s statement that he is pitching the idea to Australian teams to visit the Philippines and elevate the level of competition.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said if things materialize, the league might allow one Australian team to participate in a conference per season.
“Siguro once a year, paguusapan natin. Tignan natin kung sino papasok at magkakasundo tayo sa requirements. Kung magkakasundo tayo, bakit hindi. Katulad nitong Bay Area naging successful para sa atin, maganda para sa league,” he said.
[Translation: Maybe once a year, we’ll still discuss. We’ll see who will get in and iron out the details. If there’s an agreement, why not? Like Bay Area which has been a success for us which helps for the betterment of the league.]
Marcial said he is in talks with his Australian counterpart regarding holding a game featuring star-studded rosters.
“May usapan na kami ng Australia siguro last month or two months ago. Nakausap ko na yung commissioner ng Australia and marketing director nila na gusto nila pumunta dito at makapaglaro, kahit All-Star nila laban sa All-Star natin or kahit konting matchup. Interesado sila na pumunta sa Pilipinas.”
[Translation: I’m already talking to the commissioner and marketing director in Australia a month or two months ago. They said they want to come here and play. They are interested to fly to the Philippines.]
The Bay Area Dragons is a Hong Kong-based team that is battling crowd-darling Barangay Ginebra in the best-of-seven Commissioner’s Cup finals, where the series is tied at one game apiece.
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