PBA looks to have talent exchange with KBL, meeting with B.League chief

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial has himself a busier schedule in the coming days following the East Asia Super League’s event here in Manila.

The club competition’s inaugural draw brought together some of the other Asian pro leagues’ heads in the country, paving the way for them to talk about various matters regarding the hoops scene in this part of the continent.

Aside from Marcial, in attendance for the grouping rites at Shangri-La The Fort Tuesday were B.League chairman Shinji Shimada, Korean Basketball League commissioner Kim Hee-ok, and EASL chief executive officer Matt Beyer.

The Filipino league chieftain disclosed that he’s about to meet with Kim, whose league has pitched the idea of an ‘exchange of players.’

“Si Commissioner [Kim], makikipag-meeting sa akin mamaya kasi aalis na ata siya bukas,” Marcial told reporters. ”

“May sinasabi rin ang KBL na exchange of players, sabi ko, ‘Sige, tingnan lang namin kung papano.’”

Then, he’s about to host B.League representatives on Wednesday as they are going to watch PBA games live at SMART Araneta Coliseum.

“Ang Japan, pupunta sa game natin sa Wednesday,” said Marcial as the said game date will see TNT take on NorthPort at 3 p.m., followed by San Miguel’s meeting with Rain or Shine at 6 p.m. in 2022 Philippine Cup action.

Among the topics to be talked about, definitely, are the player signings, where Filipinos have been going either to Japan or, recently, Korea.

Young homegrown stars such as SJ Belangel (Daegu KOGAS), RJ Abarrientos (Ulsan Hyundai Mobis), and Justin Gutang (Changwon LG) have signed just this month, opening yet another avenue for talents to pursue in the future aside from Japan’s top-flight cage league.

Aside from players, Marcial said that the PBA will also be seeking a transfer of technology of sorts with their neighboring leagues.

“Sila siguro paano sila magaano ng players, sa’tin technology — paano sila sa officiating, paano ano nila sa referees. So magandang usapan,” he said.

Marcial gave credit to the EASL for serving as the bridge for the leagues in Asia to connect with one another to further elevate the sport.

“Itong EASL ay malaking opportunity sa lahat ng liga sa Asia na magkasama-sama.”