SEOUL—From an All-Star Weekend to a full All-Star Week.
The Philippine Basketball Association is introducing innovations even in its annual mid-season spectacle in the coming season, deviating from the North-versus-South game as it holds a first-ever All-Star regional competition.
PBA board chairman Mikee Romero proposed a weeklong event pitting stars from the country’s biggest regions.
Competing All-Star teams may well include the Kapampangans, the Bicolanos, the Visayans, the Ilocanos and the Fil-Ams in an All-Star tourney with stops in the Visayas, Mindanao and Luzon.
“That’s the concept. Assignment ni commissioner Chito Narvasa ang final set-up,” said Romero, the new PBA board chair, who is pushing the league to take new directions in an effort to reach more Filipino basketball fans and broaden the PBA fan base.
“For the All-Star, I want a regional theme. Ang point ay maka-connect ang regional fans sa All-Star event,” said Romero
“Halimbawa ako who is from Pampanga. Siyempre gusto ko mas magaling ang team namin kaysa sa mga Visayan, Ilocano or Bicolano-speaking teams. So I will rally behind my team,” Romero pointed out.
He said the same is the idea in their plan to make D-League wings in the Visayas and in Mindanao.