PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial Delays Opening of 48th Season to Allow Players’ Recovery Time
In a recent announcement, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial has decided to move the opening of the 48th PBA season to November 5th. This decision was made to provide enough time for the players who will be participating in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China to recover from their strenuous activities.
Marcial, who is also the assistant team manager of Gilas Pilipinas for the quadrennial event, believes that this adjustment will not only benefit the players but also allow the teams to better prepare for the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup.
During a Gilas practice session at the PhilSports Arena on September 11th, Marcial expressed his reasoning behind the decision, saying, “It is important to give the players time to rest and for the teams to have ample practice.”
Despite this change in schedule, the draft combine that is scheduled for September 12th and 13th at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong will proceed as planned. The PBA Rookie Draft will also take place on September 17th at the Market! Market! in Taguig City.
Fortunately, this adjustment will not affect the expected end date of the first conference, which is still on track for February.
Marcial also mentioned that the league had some flexibility in adjusting its schedule due to the withdrawal of the Bay Area Dragons from the PBA. This allows for smoother planning and coordination among the teams.
Overall, the decision to postpone the opening of the 48th PBA season by Commissioner Willie Marcial reflects the league’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of its players and the success of the upcoming competitions.
