PBA, PBL FORMING NEW LEAGUE
Manila, April 3, 1998 - The PBA and the PBL will join forces to organize a regional tournament similar to the Metropolitan Basketball Association.
Commissioners Jun Bernardino and Yeng Guiao of the two leagues held preliminary discussions last week to iron out details regarding the new basketball league which will be supported by both the PBA and the PBL.
Proposed to be the director of the new league is basketball veteran Mauricio Martelino, who quit recently as secretary general of the Asian Basketball Conference. Martelino was once PBL commissioner.
The main difference between the new league and the MBA is that membership to the new league will be limited to residents of the region represented by the team. In other words, outsiders cannot be recruited.
Observers say this joint plan by the PBA and PBL will ensure a continuing pool of talent for the two leagues which would otherwise feel the pinch following the recruitment of basketball stars by the rival MBA.
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