MANILA – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is hoping that the All-Star festivities this year scheduled in Passi City, Iloilo is still on the green light.
According to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, the league is optimistic to see the event tip-off after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the country.
“Hindi basta-basta pwede tanggalin ang All-Star because it’s really for the fans,” Marcial said on April 12. “It generates the funds that we turn to the Players Trust Fund.”
He added: “Kung tatanggalin man namin ang All-Star, kailangan hanapan ng kapalit na event. Pero mahirap hanapan ng kapalit ‘yun.”
PBA’s All-Star event generates at least P1 million for the Players Trust Fund, which is dedicated to the scholarships of the children of the PBA players.
“We’re even thinking of an innovative format for this year’s All-Stars. But all we can do now is to wait, just as what we do for the resumption of Season 45, he said.”
The 2020 PBA Philippine Cup was able to showcase a single clash between defending champions San Miguel Beermen and Magnolia Hotshots before it got halted due to COVID-19.
Last week, Marcial confirmed that the league decided to shorten the season possibly into two conferences instead of the usual three.
The University of San Agustin Gym here hosted twice the PBA All-Star matches in 2000 and 2018./PN
