MANILA, Philippines — PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the pro league is keeping an open mind at the idea of implementing a no-height limit format for the import conference next season.
Marcial said he's been keeping tabs with the fans' sentiments on the pro league, a reason why the PBA is keen at making some potential changes come Season 49.
"We are still studying the no-height limit (format). Maybe this upcoming season," said Marcial said in Filipino during ta recent guiest appearance at the Let It Fly podcast.
Eleven years ago, the league under then commissioner Chito Salud introduced the no-height limit for imports for the 2013 Commissioner's Cup.
That enabled Rain or Shine to tap Croatia's 7-foot-3 giant Bruno Sundov, while Air21 brought in 6-foot-10 Michael Dunigan.
Barangay Ginebra took in former Detroit Pistons forward Vernon Macklin, a 6-foot-10 big man, who helped the Gin Kings to the runner-up finish that conference after losing to the Robert Dozier-reinforced Alaska Aces in the finals.
Two years later, the league allowed no-height restrictions for bottom four squads, enabling PBA fans to see 7-foot-3 Puerto Rican giant PJ Ramos reinforce KIA, while 6-foot-11 former Gilas naturalized player Marcus Douthit played for Blackwater.
Asked if the league is still open at bringing back the two-import format in a conference, something the PBA used to do with regularity during the 1980s, Marcial has this to say: "The problem is economics because with two imports, (you'll also) think of their housing."
Marcial added that bringing in two imports might be too much to handle for the locals.
"Before, when we had two imports, they tend to dominate the game, but then we'll see, though a lot of people are saying the two imports (in a conference) is good, but again, economics. Other teams can afford while still other teams can't," said Marcial.
The league has held the current PBA Philippine Cup games in smaller venues like the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and Ninoy Aquino
Stadium, along with some matches held in Ilocos, Batangas and Legazpi in an effort to bring the matches closer to fans.
PBA fans though has shied away even at smaller venues like Rizal Memorial Coliseum and Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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