IN a move seemingly done to adapt to the exodus of Filipino cagers and to forge stronger ties with its Asian counterparts, the PBA has decided to join the East Asia Super League (EASL).
PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas is convinced the partnership would do good for the league.“The intention why we want to be there is that we can also have stronger ties with the four or five leagues in the region,” Vargas said last Tuesday in the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
“When we do have stronger ties, then we will be able to see to it that we respect each other’s rights in terms of movements of players. So, we will have better coordination,” he added.
Thirdy Ravena was the first Filipino to play in the B. League last year for San-En, while PBA stars Kiefer Ravena and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. are proving their worth in the upstart Japan league.
The likes of Dwight Ramos of Toyama, Kobe Paras of Niigata Albirex BB, Matthew Aquino of Shinshu Juan Gomez de Liaño of Tokyo Z, Javi Gomez de Liaño of Ibakari, and Kenmark Carino of Aomori are the other Filipino dribblers suiting up in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Jason Brickman and Gilas Pilipinas national team training pool member Jordan Heading have opted to bring their acts to the newly found T1 in Taiwan.
The amiable executive, also TNT’s governor, said Asia’s first play-for-pay league is out to prove it is still a force to reckon with.
“It’s the beginning of going global. So, pinag-usapan namin lahat iyan sa Board,” Vargas said in the public sports program presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
“We thought it’s time to open up, join our brothers in Asia, work with them, play with them, and show them what the Filipino has.”
Commissioner Willie Marcial added that other officials from the Asian leagues have reached out to him.
“Ang KBL, Korean Basketball League, ang commissioner, sumulat sa atin na gusto makipag-meeting sa atin,” he said. “Ang Japan B.League, may All-Star, iniimbita ako na pumunta sa Japan.”
