From the outside looking in, the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) has never gone through so much adversity more than the last 19 months since the pandemic began. Since March 2020, the league has only been able to do one tournament which was a bubble set-up outside of Metro Manila.
The ongoing PBA Philippine Cup is only the second tournament held by the PBA in 19 months since the pandemic began. TNT closed out Magnolia 94-79, winning their first Philippine Cup title since 2015.
This November, the 46 year old institution in Philippine sports plans to hold a reinforced conference where there’s a height limit for imports. Aside from an import flavoured tournament, the Philippine Basketball Association will be staging its first ever 3×3 competition which will be participated in by 15 teams.
The PBA is both a business and a brand and for both to survive, there has to be activity to remain relevant. The league must consider creative and innovative ways and means to promote itself and to continue to attract sponsors and advertisers.
The league currently has 12 teams that are both a business and a brand and same thing, there’s got to be activity, and branding to stay relevant. This writer is absolutely sure the 12 teams are continuously looking for ways to be creative and innovative to stay relevant.
One challenge the PBA s facing is the exodus of players to the B League in Japan. Nine young players have already packed their bags and moved to the “Land of the Rising Sun” where they stand to make 4-5 times what they’ll receiving from the PBA. The B-League also has more teams, more games and a longer season.
The PBA may want to consider expanding to at least two more teams. Add to that, making some rule changes to make the games a bit faster with more scoring. Maybe adding a four point shot from the area between the three point line and mid-court.
Maybe adding a couple more teams may creative some form of parity in the league. In the end, it’ll be their prerogative as they continue to navigate through this pandemic.
How about instead of shooting an additional free throw after being fouled attempting to shoot a three and making it, make it two additional free throws to make it a five point play?