GMA News recently reported on the transfer of three PBL franchises (which was set to re-open this 1st quarter of 2011 following a months-long hiatus) to the Philippine Basketball Association's Development League which is set to open on the 12th of March. These are: Cobra Energy Drink, Pharex and Agri-Nature/FCA.
Other teams that have already expressed their intentions in joining the newly formed amateur league patterned after the NBA's development league are: Cebuana Lhullier, Freego Jeans, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Tollways, Powerade, City of Antipolo (Wow. Their local government can afford an amateur team? I'd like to see Pampanga match that, given their crop of players up North.), Black Water/Ever Bilena, Handyfix, Pacific Pipes and PC Gilmore.
Back to the topic-- the PBL was set to run a 6-team tournament and have actually landed a TV/production deal with up-and-coming SportsVision (the same group behind the Shakey's V-League). But now that their line-up of teams has been cut in half, you could very well conclude that it's back to the drawing board for OIC Nolan Bernardino (son of the late PBA commish Jun Bernardino).
Should the PBL just close shop and hand over the keys to the PBA's newest project? Perhaps. Since bigger teams will opt to go with the more established brand (via affiliation) rather than one that has been on and off (which is such a shame). Better yet, the leftover PBL teams could sponsor one of the Liga Pilipinas squads (which is also in a state of limbo just after two mildly successful tournament-legs).
If anything, I feel sorry for those who patronized the PBL and what it stood for. I appreciate everything about it. The rivalries, the young and goggle-less Marlou Aquino, a fat Asi Taulava, MVP performances by guys named HERCULES Tangkay and PJ Simon, the Stags, Welcoats, Agfas, and even Mikee Romero's league-killing Harbour Center which basically robbed the league of star players by forming one super team and sucking the life out of the PBL.
