LAS VEGAS - Back in Season 48, the Philippine Basketball Association played a reduced two-conference calendar in support of Gilas Pilipinas.
This time, the pro league will play an extended season, possibly reaching the early weeks of December, 2026, in a move reaffirming PBA's commitment of backing of the national team program.
PBA Season 50 will open on Oct. 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and will cover over 14 months in staging a full three-conference calendar, starting with the Philippine Cup, followed by the Governors' Cup then the Commissioner's Cup.
There will be periods of breathers to give way to Gilas' games in the FIBA World Cup qualifying windows and in the 2026 Asia Games in Nagoya, Japan.
All these have been recommended and approved during the PBA planning session at the MGM Grand Resort Hotel here.
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"The league's golden season is a long season," said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, sharing the all-out support the Gilas program got from the PBA board led by chairman Ricky Vargas.
"We want to qualify to the Olympics," said Vargas, meaning the pro league is to throw full support to the Tim Cone-mentored national team with a cast from the PBA including June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Oftana and Chris Newsome.
"We're all-in in our support to our chairman and going with it is our support to Gilas," said PBA vice chairman Alfrancis Chua, hoping Vargas' wish comes true.
Also giving their nod were Robert Non of San Miguel Beer, Jason Webb of Magnolia, Bill Pamintuan of Meralco, Ronald Dulatre of NLEX, Raymond Zorrilla of Phoenix, Mert Mondragon of Rain or Shine, Silliman Sy of Blackwater, Archen Cayabyab of Converge and Erick Arejola of NorthPort.
To have a shot at a stint in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Gilas must qualify to the 2027 World Cup and be the top finisher from among all the Asian teams.
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"Mabigat na tulong ang kailangan, at kasama kami sa magbibigay ng tulong," said Marcial.
For the group play of the qualifiers alone, Gilas will have tough mountains to climb versus Australia and New Zealand. Guam completes the group.(SB)
