SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
MANILA, Philippines – From an All-Star Weekend to an All-Star Week?
The Philippine Basketball Association is eyeing more changes for its 42nd second season, this time to its annual mid-season All-Star event.
In a press release, the PBA announced it is “deviating from the North-versus-South game” – the All-Star Weekend’s main draw – “as it holds a first-ever All-Star regional competition.”
The competition is targeted to stretch out to a full week.
The change was proposed by new PBA chairman Mikee Romero, the Globalport owner and 1Pacman Representative, during the PBA Board’s annual meeting in Seoul, South Korea.
The plan is to have competing All-Star teams include the Kapampangan players, the Bicolanos, Visayans, Ilocanos, and the Fil-Ams in a tournament with stops in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
“For the All-Star, I want a regional theme. Ang point eh maka-connect ang regional fans sa All-Star event (The point is to connect with regional fans through the All-Star event),” Romero was quoted as saying in the press release.
“Halimbawa ako, who is from Pampanga, siyempre gusto ko mas magaling ang team namin kaysa sa mga Visayan-, Ilocano-, or Bicolano-speaking teams. So I will rally behind my team.”
(For example myself, I’m from Pampanga, of course I want my team to be better than the Visayan-, Ilocano-, or Bicolano-speaking teams.)
The same concept is also eyed for the PBA D-League with the creation of versions of the minor league in the Visayas and Mindanao.
The plans are a welcome development for the All-Star event, which suffered very low gate attendance this year, leaving commissioner Chito Narvasa “disappointed.” With this year’s All-Star held in Manila, Narvasa said going to provinces is a consideration.
This year’s All-Star attendance was in stark contrast to that of the 2015 edition held in Palawan, which soldout the Puerto Princesa Coliseum and drew plenty of excitement among locals.
Romero has been quick to push for changes to the league for the upcoming season set to open with the Philippine Cup on November 20.
Other big changes include a potential invitational tournament for Asian club teams in the season-ending Governors’ Cup as well as the removal of import handicapping for the last two conferences. (READ: PBA eyes invitational for Asian teams, removal of import handicapping)
The changes and plans come at a time when the PBA is getting criticized for its low attendance, with fans taking to social media to point out empty seats in game photos and suggesting their own ideas and innovations. – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.