PBA board expected to approve 3-conference format

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) board of governors have shown their strong support to bring back the league into a three-conference format. Incoming PBA chairman Rene Pardo, JB Baylon of Coca-Cola and Rain or Shine team owner Terry Que said they would support a move in bringing back the full season to three conferences in their bid to increase gate receipts and TV ratings, and add more revenue to the league. "The main objective is to generate higher gate receipts, eliminate non-bearing games and come up with shorter, yet entertaining matches," said Pardo, who threw his full support on the suggestion made by incoming league commissioner Chito Salud. The PBA, under then commissioner Noli Eala, decided to come up with a seasonal event where the league will have a two-conference format. The idea was made to give way to the PBA-formed national team and also to lessen the expenses on imports. Under the three-conference format, two tournaments will be played with imports while the other one will be played All-Filipino. But Pardo, who will succeed newly-appointed Bureau of Customs commissioner Lito Alvarez, said that the board will devise a plan that will make import-laden conferences shorter yet exciting. "We’re planning to have a handicapping system in the third conference wherein lower-ranked teams will have taller imports than the other eight squads. For example, if the regular imports stand 6-foot-6 and below, then the lower-ranked teams can get imports standing 6-foot-9," Pardo told GMANews.TV. "Now that the PBA has decided to leave the formation of the national team to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, then it’s high time for the league to revert to its old three-conference format," added the 60-year-old consultant of B-Meg Derby Ace's basketball operations. For Baylon and Yu, the three-conference format will be a good opportunity as well for teams to have more exposure. "It will give more exposure to team brands and players," said Baylon in a text message. Yu agreed with Baylon, saying that teams will have longer time being exposed to the public – be it at the games – or on television. "But of course, aside from the exposure we can get, we want the league to have a more improved officiating next season," added Yu, who co-owns Rain or Shine along with Terry Que. But Robert Non of Barangay Ginebra is not about to give his opinion yet on the proposed three-conference format. "We will study that first. We want to know what are the implications if ever it will push through," said Non. For Pardo he wants to follow the blue print of his predecessor, Alvarez. "We want continuity in our program," said Pardo during a get together with sportswriters at the Hap Chan Restaurant in West Ave. "But the main objectives are the same – higher gate receipts and better TV ratings." "I want to continue what Chairman Lito has done. Then, we will have a planning session at the end of the season to discuss the new program," said Pardo, who will serve as acting chairman before assuming the post as PBA board chief this September. Pardo was a commerce graduate with a marketing major at the University of Santo Tomas. He headed RFM’s agri-business operations for 10 years before getting Purefoods hired him in 1985. His main objective as chairman is to also focus on an aspect that is close to his heart - marketing. "We want to improve the marketing side of the league," he said. "There were a lot of good ideas. We just need someone to implement them." Married with four children "and four grandchildren," Pardo joined Purefoods as its poultry processing plant manager and worked his way to become one of its executives. - JVP, GMANews.TV