THE PBA used to be the top pro league in Asia but that claim is now being challenged by other upstart leagues.
Pro league chairman Ricky Vargas of TNT, however, is convinced that the unofficial title can still be claimed by the PBA, which is celebrating its golden anniversary on April 9.
“We recognize that we are not the only ones in Asia but we can still be the best entertainment basketball in Asia. So, that’s our vision. Today, we have leagues in Japan. We have leagues in Korea. We have leagues in Taipei,” Vargas said. “All these leagues, our commissioner has started a collaboration with them to be able to bring the best of Asia in basketball.
“In order for us to stay the best, we have to lead Asia not only in basketball but in organizing Asia. So, that is very important for us because we are the seat of basketball,” he added.
Collaborating with the other league holds the key for the PBA to remain No. 1 in Asia.
“When you talk about collaboration, you have to play with Asia and the PBA has played with Asia. The PBA is in the EASL. We are going to have games with the B.League of Japan and the SBP is now also very much involved in Taiwan,” Vargas said. “So, with the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) and the PBA, we will stay the best in Asia.”
The countdown for the PBA’s golden anniversary kicked off with the logo unveiling Monday last week, where the letters PBA50 are all colored in gold, and the silhouette of a dribbling cager in the middle is now in black.
The logo signifies the long journey taken by the league since it opened shop in 1975.
With PBA chief Willie Marcial and the Board led by Vargas, no stone will be left unturned in their bid to stay as the premier basketball meet.
“But we have to excel. We cannot be the best if we do not excel and if we do all that, we will remain the best in Asia but not only the best in Asia,” Vargas said. “Maybe, just maybe, we will be recognized even in the world.”
