ABL SEEN AS FUTURE RIVAL?
Next up for PBA: Pure Asian imports
11/27/2009
Barring any obstacle, the Board of Governors of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) may bring in top Asian players as imports for the Fiesta Cup.
The board’s would-be move is apparently a reaction to the fledgling Asean Basketball League (ABL) where the Philippine Patriots, co-owned by Mikee Romero and Tonyboy Cojuangco, are playing.
League commissioner Sonny Barrios, however, said the board has unanimously agreed that all imports for league’s season-ending conference shall come from Fiba Asia countries only, sort of giving PBA fans a new flavor in its more than 30 years of existence.
If feasible, Barrios said a height limit of 6-foot 8 will be set for all candidates.
“The board gave us one month to study if the proposal is feasible or not,” said Barrios, adding naturalized players are not qualified.
Should the project push through, among the possible candidates are Lebanon’s Fadi El-Khatib, Korea’s Lee Kyu Sup and Iran’s Mohhamad Samad Nikkah.
If players won’t be available due to their international commitments, Barrios said teams will resort to “open” recruitment with a height limit of 6-6.
The Fiesta Conference is tentatively set to start on March 21, 2010.
During their regular meeting held yesterday at the PBA Headquarters in Libis, Quezon City, the board also decided to cancel the games scheduled for Dec. 27 and 29 which means elimination round of the 2009-2010 KFC-PBA Philippine Cup will extend up to Jan. 22.
Meanwhile, Burger King gets to test Talk ‘N Text at 5 p.m. today when they meet at the Ynares Center for the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup.
“We’ve worked hard this week. We expect to play a good game against TNT,” said King Whoppers’ coach Yeng Guiao.
The King Whoppers are sporting a 3-5 win-loss record. They have regained a good measure of confidence after their morale-boosting 102-86 victory over Barako Bull last Nov. 20.
Barangay Ginebra, meanwhile, tries to rebound from back-to-back losses, including a loss to TNT last Wednesday, as it tackles a hard luck Coca-Cola in the main tussle at 7:20 p.m.
The Gin Kings’ small men are down with injuries — albeit minor — but just the same, most of them are doubtful starters, although JayJay Heterbrand is said to be ready to play. Mark Caguioa will continue to miss the game, and so is Celino Cruz, who hurt his finger the last time out.
The double-header will be preceded by a no-bearing game between San Miguel Beer and Smart-Gilas at 2:30 p.m. Arman Carandang
http://www.tribune.net.ph/sports/20091127spo1.html