The PBA commissioner, Willie Marcial, stated that the league is still open to growth and that it may absorb up to four more teams as long as its television partner can handle the extra games.

Marcial asserted that he thinks the PBA can expand to 16 teams, albeit doing so would necessitate more games in order to provide each team with the necessary exposure.

The league currently plays on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with Saturday playdates typically designated for out-of-town games.

Marcial stated that in order for a 16-team league to materialize, its TV partner must consent to telecast the extra playdates.

The PBA has had 12 teams for the past eight years; the most recent additions were Kia, renamed Terrafirma, and Blackwater in 2014. Since then, neither team has advanced to a championship series.

Marcial noted that there have always been businesses interested in joining the league and named two that had contacted league authorities.

On the other hand, the Commissioner’s Cup, which kicks off the season, may feature numerous PBA games in Hong Kong.

The East Asia Super League (EASL) ballclub is now established in the former British colony thanks to the Bay Area Dragons’ comeback, which allowed the league to expand internationally.

Bay Area, coached by Australian national mentor Brian Goorjian, attracted spectators and came in second place to Barangay Ginebra.

Beyer, a co-founder and the CEO of EASL, holds a position of prominence in the Bay Area.

The Dragons initially intended to base themselves in Macau, but ultimately chose to remain in Hong Kong.

The Dragons had a successful season last year because of Myles Powell and Andrew Nicholson, two successful imports who gave the league’s best clubs a fight for their money.

Fantastic PBA Debut

The Kings were forced to a decisive Game 7 in the finals, which gathered a new PBA record audience of 54,589 spectators to the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. They played the San Miguel Beermen in a difficult semifinals series and won, 3-1.

Ginebra triumphed 114–99 to claim the championship.

Marcial named the three clubs that are interested in playing in Hong Kong, which serves as a special administrative area of China, but he could not yet say whether the Kings and Dragons’ rematch would take place there.

Like a typical away game, the games would be played over the weekend.