New schedule for the PBA this 2012

PBA officials cool on Viva-Vintage proposal Malaya Online Edition

July 1, 2012 - Viva-Vintage Television, holder of the PBA's television franchise, has proposed drastic changes in the league's playdates, revisions that sources within the league say will not prosper.

In a marathon presentation to the PBA board last Thursday, Viva-Vintage proposed that games be held four times a week, with just one game to be held every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 6 p.m. It also proposed that two games be held every Saturday and Sunday starting at 4 p.m.

Last season, two games were held every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with weekend matches starting at 4:15 p.m. over the outfit's carrying station, Channel 13.

The changes, Viva-Vintage said, are necessary to counteract the growing opposition posed by the soap operas and game shows being aired by other networks during the nightcap of the league's usual doubleheader.

Also, the single game days are projected to help boost Channel 13's own game shows produced by Viva-Vintage.

The PBA's executive committee will meet tomorrow to discuss Viva-Vintage's proposals. A decision is expected to be handed down well before the opening of the league's 28th season on Feb. 10.

This early, however, league insiders, including those from the Commissioner's Office, have voiced opposition to the proposal, saying it may help the television network but not necessarily the PBA.

"Mukhang mas talo ang PBA," said one league insider who requested anonymity.

"Kung four days a week ang laro, lalaki ang overhead ng liga sa mga tauhan, upa sa venue and the like," said another source.

Another source said one-game weekday matches may not sit well with PBA fans, even if these games feature crowd favorites, like Ginebra, San Miguel and Red Bull.

"Malamang na hindi kagatin ng tao lalo na't kung mahihinang teams ang maglalaban. Isa pa, hindi mo naman p'wedeng i-schedule lagi ng ordinaryong araw ang mga teams na iyon," said another.

PBA tickets range from P150 to P350 while venue rentals vary from P20,000 to P35,000 or a percentage of the gate, whichever is higher.