MACAU – As long as its schedule allows, the PBA is bent on extending its support to the East Asia League Terrific 12 tournament.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said the participation of San Miguel Beer, TnT Katropa, and Blackwater was made possible as the league had an open window for the Sept. 17 to 22 meet, which ends just three days after the season-ending Governors Cup kicks off.
This is the first time three teams from Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league are seeing action in the annual meet that also features ballclubs from other leagues around Asia such as the CBA of China, Japan’s J League, and the KBL of Korea.
“Maganda lang kasi dito bukas yung schedule natin kaya nakapagpadala tayo ng tatlong teams,” said Marcial.
“Depende pa rin,” when asked if the practice would be on a yearly basis. “Basta naman hindi conflict sa schedule natin, OK tayo diyan.
Along with Marcial, more than half of the league’s board member are coming over to support the title bid of the three PBA squads.
Marcial arrived here on Monday along with league legal officer Atty. Melvin Mendoza, technical head Eric Castro, Alaska governor and team manager Richard Bachmann, Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy and governor Siliman Sy, San Miguel Beer counterpart Robert Non, Atty. Raymund Zorilla of Phoenix, and NorthPort’s Eric Arejola.
League board chairman Ricky Vargas of TnT Katropa is also set to follow.
Both Bachmann and Zorilla expressed interest in seeing action in the tournament next year if invited.
And as Bachmann puts it, ‘yes if our schedule would allow it.’
“Kasi magandang pre-season and pangtawid din (sa PBA teams). With a two-import format, puwedeng paglaruin yung import ng team (sa Commissioner’s Cup) and yung padating na import (sa Governors Cup),” said Bachmann, who is also Alaska team manager.
Marcial said the board is all-out in its support to the campaigns of the Beermen, Katropa, and the Elite even though they’ll only be staying in this resort city known for its gaming industry for just a day or two.
“Siyempre team natin yan. Parang mga anak lang natin yan na lagin nating sinusuportahan lalo na kung may pagkakataon tayo,” said the league chief.
Marcial also lauded the work being done so far by tournament officials led by Asia League CEO Matt Beyer.
“Maganda naman ang pinapakita nila. Maganda ang reception ng tournament,” he said.
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