BENT on bringing action overseas, the pro league is currently
negotiating with promotional groups in Dubai and Singapore where the PBA intends
to hold games this coming season.
PBA Media Bureau chief Willie Marcial yesterday said talks
with Dubai organizers are nearly done, while talks with Singaporean organizers
are in progress.
"Halos 80 percent nang sure ang laro sa Dubai," said Marcial.
"Iyun namang sa Singapore tuloy pa rin ang usapan. Gustong-gusto rin naming
matuloy iyon dahil marami rin tayong mga kababayan doon."
Dubai hosted a game between Purefoods and Ginebra in April
2006.
There were plans last year for the PBA to play games in the
United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
but negotiations bogged down.
If the Dubai and Singapore games push through, it will be a
record for the 34-year-old league that started holding official matches abroad
only during the 2005 season.
The PBA has also already held officials games in Jakarta,
Hong Kong and Guam.
Marcial said the Dubai game would be held in either the
second or third week of April, during the import-laced the Fiesta Cup, at
roughly the same time organizers want the Singapore game to push through.
On top of overseas games, the PBA has also slated seven
provincial matches in the season-opening Philippine Cup that kicks off on Oct.
4.
"All these games are simply keeping in line with the PBA’s efforts to give
something back to our fans, both in the provinces and abroad, who have remained
loyal through the years," said Marcial. (Noli Cortez)
