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What's up with the MBA?
WHEN the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), backed
by media giant ABS-CBN was formed in 1998, the concept of
regional basketball was dearly embraced by the masses, especially
by fans in the provinces. Local enthusiasts from participating
areas troop to their respective gymnasiums and coliseums to
shower unbridled support and affection to their star players
who despite not being natives of the place, were being adopted
as favorite sons. The euphoria was sweet.
But beneath the hoopla and the fanfare lies the frustrating
tasks and financial shortcomings of running a national league
not to mention a basketball team. Due to monetary difficulties,
a few teams have folded since the inception of the MBA four
years ago - the inaugural champs Pampanga Dragons, Pangasinan
Presidents (Waves), Iloilo Megavolts, Pasig-Rizal Pirates
and the Manila Metro Stars, to name only few weren't around
when the 2001 season beckoned.
In 2002, the fans will surely miss the effervescence of the
Laguna Lakers and the multi-titled champions San Juan Knights
which disbanded at the end of last year. The loss of San Juan
Knights left the National Capital Region (NCR) without representation
in the MBA. Even reports are indicating that the Negros Slashers
are barely breathing after the pull-out of ABS-CBN funding
despite two runner-up finishes in 2001.
Internal bickerings also mired the fledgling league, a series
of commissioners have been paraded since its birth. It could
be recalled that Mon Fernandez resigned with an aching heart
two years ago while Ogie Narvasa's stint was mired by "pro-Estrada"
"pro-San Juan Knights" allegations. At the outset
of 2002 interim commish Butch Antonio was replaced by former
PBA defensive specialist Chito Loyzaga.
Tapped by MBA chairman Santi Araneta and Cebu Gems owner Jean
Henri Lhuillier, Loyzaga's main task is the continuing existence
and the survival of the MBA even without the financial presence
of ABS-CBN. In 2002, the league is assured of seven teams,
four in the North - Batangas, Pangasinan, Pampanga and Olongapo
- and three in the South - Cebu, Negros, Davao.
For the television coverage of the games, the MBA has inked
a 37-week contract with the Nation Broadcasting Network (formerly
PTV), making the government channel its new home in lieu of
the ABS-CBN regional network coverages which aired the games
on a delayed basis to complement the live broadcast on NBN
in 2001. Before 2001, the MBA Games were shown live on Studio
23, the UHF affiliate of ABS-CBN, from 1998 to 2000.
Sans the Lopez-owned network, who was steering the directions
of the MBA, the new thrust of the league is not to compete
head-on with the PBA but to work side by side with Asia's
first play-for-pay basketball league. Loyzaga also has plans,
although not this season, to implement major changes, like
salary cap restrictions, Department of Justice certifications
for Fil-foreign players' introduction of junior players in
a conference. There was also a buzz of a merger with the amateur
farm body Philippine Basketball League (PBL) but the report
fizzled out for the time being. Last season, the MBA started
incorporating main sponsors' name in the team titles like
Andok's San Juan Knights, LBC Batangas Blades and FedEx Laguna
Lakers not only to augment funding but to provide a medium
for companies to advertise their products.
For now, despite the aura of calmness projected by the league's
hierarchy and the return of Pampanga and Pangasinan to the
fold, it is apparent that the MBA is in dire straits. The
support of loyal fans may not be enough to save the league
from going under unless a giant company like ABS-CBN surfaces
to play Santa Claus. But it pays to be optimistic, we don't
know what the future may bring. We'll see everything in April
when the 5th season of the country's first regional league
is delivered to our doorsteps.*
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