The return of the Philippine Basketball League
The Philippine Basketball League is all set to return on the 26th of February behind Chairman Ding Camua and Sports Vision Management (the same outfit behind the successful Shakey's V-League tourneys). Six teams will vye for the season opening tournament title: Pharex, Excelroof, Cobra, Ani-FCA, Hobe Bihon and Cafe France.
Of the six (almost unheard of) brands, one has to wonder if the PBL, after a year long hiatus, will be able to regain its popularity with the emergence of other commercial amateur leagues such as the Asean Basketball League and the Liga Pilipinas (plus, the PBA's Developmental League which has been given the go signal by the PBA top honchos and is slated for a March opening).
From a local basketball fan's perspective, I'd really love to see the PBL succeed and continue in the development of young players. I remember that there was a time when the PBL even had a better gate attendance than the PBA (but maybe that's just because they play in smaller venues, and the tickets are either cheap or free).
If the PBL could 1) partner with a solid local channel (IBC 13 airs the Shakey's V League games), 2) develop young, fresh talent from all over the country and 3) convince the PBA to drop its plans of creating a D-League and simply adopt the PBL, then things look bright for the future not only of the league, but of Philippine basketball in general (plus, it gives Basketball bloggers like me more material. Lol).
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