Mikee Romero's Warning

(photo courtesy of Spin.ph)

THE statements of Northport team owner and Congressman Mikee Romero about the emergence of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League as a threat to the PBA should be a concern to the pro league.

It cannot be denied that the PBA has been losing its popularity in recent seasons due to lack of public interest. Too many lopsided games and the proliferation of sister teams have turned off a lot of companies wishing to join the PBA as expansion teams.

The PBA is currently dominated by the MVP and San Miguel Corporation groups who each have three teams. Independent squads like Rain or Shine and Alaska haven't made the semis in the last two seasons.

Having covered the PBA for many years for Scoreboard Magazine, DZSR Sports Radio, PNA, Bagong TIKTIK and Hataw before I left for the US, I really feel sad for the PBA because of the way the league has been drawing lesser crowds in Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum. That's a waste of rental money.

Romero's suggestion that the PBA play most of its games in smaller venues does make sense. Many cities in Metro Manila have put up arenas that are smaller than the Big Dome and MOA but have the capability to attract the fans and fill them up.

Araneta and MOA should be reserved for championship games. I remember the PBA tried putting up its own arena many years ago but the plan was shelved due to financial reasons.

The television coverage of ESPN5 isn't enough. The network should market the league more aggressively and its president and CEO Chot Reyes -- a former PBA coach -- should hire a good marketing staff to bring advertisers to the network.

Another thing that the PBA should consider is to lower ticket prices so that more fans can come and watch the games. Higher ticket prices turn off the people especially at a time when they prefer to buy food because of high gas prices and a soaring inflation rate.

And, probably the most pressing need, is for the PBA to shorten the season to just two conferences so that the league can prepare for international tournaments through the Gilas Pilipinas program of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

The first conference should be All-Filipino while the second conference should be with imports where the top four teams advance to the semifinals which will feature at least two foreign teams, preferably from Asia.

I hope Commissioner Willie Marcial takes note of these suggestions if the PBA wants to live longer. It has been around for more than 40 years and it is already an institution for Filipino sports fans.