THE PBA is starting the Commissioner’s Cup finals as early as possible, and moving back the opening of the Philippine Cup to accommodate the preparation and involvement of Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming two FIBA windows.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the league made the adjustments so Gilas can compete in the first window of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers in Hong Kong on February 22 and Chinese Taipei on February 25, and the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament 2024 in Riga, Latvia from July 2 to 7.
Marcial said Game 1 of the Commissioner’s Cup finals will be held on Friday, just two days after Magnolia clinched a finals berth at the expense of Phoenix Super LPG.
The opening of the 48th season Philippine Cup will now be held on February 28 instead of March 3, Marcial added.
This will give Gilas Pilipinas additional days to prepare for the OQT where four spots are at stake for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Etong finals, dapat may gap ito ng isang araw pa. Dapat Linggo pa ito. Pero ito ay dahil sa Gilas para mapakawalan natin sa Gilas ang mga players,” said Marcial.
Marcial said they decided to hold the Philippine Cup early to give Gilas more time to practice.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone has called up a 12-man team for the next four years, hoping that the core will be kept over the course of that period.
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