Is Dubai opening its doors to the PBA once more? It looks like it.
Multiple sources privy to the matter told Tiebreaker Times that the same group who hosted the league years ago has expressed interest in helping the league anew, this time for the staging of its Season 46 this year.
Previously, the Coca-Cola Arena played host to several Governors’ Cup games featuring crowd darlings Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, San Miguel Beer, and NLEX back in October of 2019.
That same group also sent a proposal to the PBA last year for the Season 46 bubble, but the league crossed out the idea due to time constraints. In particular, the offer came in September and the league wanted to resume play by October.
The Coca-Cola Arena was among the 20 entities that bid for the hosting of the bubble, which was eventually awarded to Clark, Pampanga. The bubble play was held for two months that saw Ginebra emerge as the new Philippine Cup kings.
Still, the league greatly appreciated the offer, and Dubai very much remains an option for them. Commissioner Willie Marcial said back then that they might discuss bringing the All-Star festivities there in the future.
But if ever, Dubai may not just be a possible All-Star host for Asia’s pioneering pro league, but rather the venue for Season 46 that has been delayed no thanks to the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Still, everything remains uncertain at this point. The PBA Board will first hold its crucial meeting on Monday, where they will discuss mainly their plan for the season as well as the league’s financials.
The league was supposed to open shop back in April 11, until Metro Manila and nearby provinces were put under stricter community quarantine measures due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks.
Among the initial plans of the league was holding a 10-month long season in Antipolo in a closed-circuit set-up, but the COVID-19 situation at present may greatly affect the PBA’s course of action moving forward.
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