The start of the 48th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has been postponed by three weeks.

Instead of starting on October 15, the Commissioner’s Cup will now tip off on November 5.

The league decided to push back the season beginning because of the rigorous schedule created by the FIBA World Cup’s consecutive stagings and the upcoming 19th Asian Games.

The decision, according to Commissioner Willie Marcial, was intended to provide players who competed in both the World Championship and the Asiad time to relax and heal after a year-round schedule of competition.

Additionally, it will offer teams more time to get ready for the new campaign and develop chemistry with the rookies who will be chosen and signed in this week’s draft and their respective imports who will be competing in the Commissioner’s Cup to kick off the new season.

The national squad had just finished its World Cup campaign, but it is now preparing for the Asiad, which will begin next week in Hangzhou, China.

Ricci Rivero, Fran Yu, and John Amores, a contentious figure.

Meanwhile, a record 128 applications came forward for the PBA rookie draft on September 17 at Market, demonstrating how everyone wants a piece of the action! Taguig Market Place.

The list also includes Zavier Lucero, Dominick Fajardo, Henry Galinato, Brandon Bates, Luis Villegas, James Kwekuteye, and Sherwin Concepcion. Rivero, Yu, and Amores are just a few of the well-known names on it.

Stephen Holt, Schonny Winston, Keith Datu, Ken Tuflin, Kemark Carino, Raphael Cu, and Brent Paraiso are just a few of the previous applicants.

The 97 applications for the Season 46 draft in 2021 set the previous record.

Along with the San Beda lads Franz Abuda, John Bahio, Clifford Jopia, and Damie Cuntapay, the list also includes Jolo Mendoza, Jose Norberto De Liano, Raffy Verano, Mark Sangalang, and others.

The customary Draft Combine, scheduled for September 12 and 13, at the Gatorade Hoops in Mandaluyong, is mandatory for all 128 applicants.

In the draft, Terrafirma will pick first, Blackwater second, Rain or Shine third, NorthPort fourth, Phoenix fifth, NLEX sixth, and Meralco seventh.

In the first round, Converge is selected at positions 9 and 10, followed by NorthPort and Terrafirma.