ONCE again, the PBA being able to hold its import-laced tournament depends on the IATF.
The pro league’s plans of starting the second conference this month hinges largely on whether the government agency would finally give the go-signal to allow the reinforcements to enter the country and play.
That situation is eerily similar to the long wait the league endured before being given the green light by the IATF to proceed with its season-opening Philippine Cup last July.
“Ang plano namin ng una Nov. 15, pero malamang hindi na matutuloy iyan,” Rene Pardo, Magnolia’s long-time representative to the PBA Board, told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday. “Baka last week of November na.”
The teams need to seal the deal with the reinforcements they have already talked to.
“Iyon nga, nakabitin, kaya ang hirap makipag-negotiate (with imports),” Pardo.
“Hirap na hirap kami sa negotiations dahil baka mamaya hindi matuloy,” added the former league chairman. “Papupuntahin ko dito ng maaga di gagastos lang kami ng walang ka-kwenta-kwenta.”
Pardo, along with the rest of PBA executives, is hoping the IATF approval would come within this week so that plans could be translated into more concrete action.
Foremost for Magnolia is getting Mike Harris to sign on the dotted line.
“In principle, meron na kaming agreement niyan Nag-agree na kami sa suweldo, na available ba siya. Ready to fly na nga iyan anytime,” Pardo said.
“Ang problema niyan, pag may nag-offer sa kanya na iba, tulad ng European team, siyempre pipirma iyan. Wala kaming hawak sa kanya,” added Pardo. “Kapag lumabas ang IATF approval, paliliparin na namin. Kasi may quarantine pa iyan.”
Harris is the same import Alaska paraded during the 2018 PBA Governors Cup, where the former NBA campaigner copped the Best Import award but the Aces lost to the Hotshots in the finals.
“Gustong-gusto ni (Magnolia coach) Chito (Victolero) ang laro niyan kaya nu’ng i-waive ng Alaska rights sa kanya, we immediately contacted his agent,” Pardo said.
Barring any glitch, Harris, Ginebra’s resident import Justin Brownlee and Phoenix Super LPG’s Paul Harris would not be the only returnees in the coming tournament featuring reinforcements no taller than 6-foot-6.
According to sources, Rain or Shine has tapped Henry Walker and NLEX has tapped KJ McDaniels.
Walker is a familiar face, having suited up for Alaska, NLEX and, most recently, Blackwater. McDaniels once played for TNT during the 2019 Governors Cup.
The imports being eyed by San Miguel Beer and Alaska have yet to be confirmed. Among the new faces who have agreed in principle to play here are Blackwater’s Jaylen Bond, NorthPort’s Cameron Forte, Terrafirma’s Antonio Hester and Meralco’s Shabazz Muhammad.
Newly-crowned Philippine Cup champion TNT would reportedly pin its hopes on McKenzie Moore, who has not seen action in the PBA but suited up for Mighty Sports and TNT in the East Asia Super League Terrific 12, both in 2019.
