NO asterisk needed whichever team emerges champion if ever the PBA gets to stage a single conference in this most difficult time in history.
For commissioner Willie Marcial, the team which wins the Philippine Cup should be considered the real champion given the adversity it has to overcome to reach the top.
“Kung sa akin, yun talaga ang champion,” said the PBA chief. “Nataon na isang conference lang yun, pero ganun din (naman). Pinaghirapan, at mas nahirapan ngayong season na ito.”
Asia’s pioneering play-for-pay league is on the verge of shutting down this season for good following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the moment, the PBA is hoping to salvage whatever remains of the season, aiming to stage at least an all-Filipino conference by the middle week of October.
If ever, it will be the first ever one-conference season in the history of the league.
The PBA originally held three conferences in a season, although there were stretches when it only had two tournaments in a year.
But whether it be three, two, or a single conference, Marcial said the league treats every season the same.
“Pare-pareho ang turing natin sa lahat ng season,” he said.
If ever, PBA board chairman Ricky Vargas has a ready tag to the winning team.
“The ‘Pandemic Champion,” he said.
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