PBL CANCELS IMPORTS
Manila, March 5, 1998 - The Philippine Basketball League has cancelled the PBL import- reinforced tournament and will instead concentrate on promoting the PBL All-Filipino Cup in celebration of the Centennial Year of Philippine Independence.
At the same time, the PBL made the decision as an initial step in its campaign to cut down expenses in the face of the regional economic crisis.
The PBL Board approved the decision to skip imports this year and focus the league on Filipino teams. It is also studying the proposal to host an Invitational Cup which will invite foreign teams and to give provincial teams a chance to become members of the PBL.
Observers, however, noted that the decision not to use imported players might signal the demise of the league which is now threatened by strict competition from two giant professional leagues: the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA).
The absence of imported players might also cause the public to lose interest in the semi-pro league which is about to lose Commissioner Yeng Guiao who is running for vice governor of Pampanga.
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