AN outspoken PBA team owner urged the league to consider provincial-based firms specifically those from the South as possible owners of expansion franchises.
Dioceldo Sy, team owner of Blackwater, believes it would do good Asia's first ever play-for-pay league to accept new teams with both a foothold and fanbase in the Visayas and Mindanao - places like Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, GenSan, Zamboanga Bacolod, or even Iloilo where the PBA held its last All-Stars in March
Sy cited the cases of Cebu and Davao as among the basketball hotbeds in the Visayas and Mindanao, respectively, similar to Manila and Pampanga in Luzon.
READ: Marcial says PBA open to expansion to 16 teams
Sy said he knows for a fact that the owner of Cebu Landmasters is very interested in joining the league, suggesting that exploratory talks be made.
"I welcome the (PBA) expansion. I know maraming interested diyan from the South. The PBA should open up the invitation," said Sy in a chat with Spin ph.
Stressing the need to think outside of the box, Sy shared his perspective in light of Commissioner Willie Marcial's pronouncement about the possibility of the PBA opening its doors to two to four expansion franchises.
“Meron talagang lumalapit sa atin. May dalawang seryoso pero hindi ko alam kung tutuloy na dere-derecho kaya ayoko rin banggitin kung sino sila,” said Marcial when he guested in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum. “May nakikipag-usap, pero lagi namang ganun.”
Sy agrees with Marcial.
“Marami yan. There are a lot of prominent companies in the Visayas and Mindanao na willing naman. The PBA just needs to invite them,” he said.
At the same time, such move would allow the league to have more provincial games, and perhaps see the dawn of a home-and-away format.
Venues won’t be a problem as the KJC King Dome in Davao is set to be inaugurated later this year, while the SM Seaside Arena in Cebu will be finished in two years' time.
“At least isabay mo na yung pag-open ng dalawang venue para may flavor ng home-and-away,” the Blackwater owner added.
Logistically, Sy said the league can tap the help of the country’s three top airlines company, most especially AirAsia where congressman and Northport team owner Mikee Romero has a big stake.
Games in the South could also be scheduled on weekends like what the PBA does during regular out-of-town sorties.
READ: Plans afoot to play PBA games in HK
Marcial said out-of-town matches will again be held in the coming Season 48, including possible matches in Hong Kong to serve as home games of guest team Bay Area Dragons.
In the long run, Sy said member ballclubs could eventually adopt provincial cities to carry their names.
“That would promote the start of home-and-away sa PBA,” he added.
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