Best-of-seven series between China and “PBA Warriors” eyed to kick-off new PBA Season

  • Apr 12, 2021
  • BASKETBALL
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PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas announced yesterday that he is eyeing a series of friendly matches with PBA selection and the Chinese National Team to kick-start the league’s 46th season.

He batted for Gilas Pilipinas head coach Yeng Guiao to lead the selection he dubbed as the "PBA Warriors."

Quoted in an article released by the league, Vargas floated the idea on Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) which is at the same time is the league’s 46th anniversary.

“I would like to see Season 46 jumpstarted with this exhibition match, the technical aspects of which could be crafted by our tournament officials. We need to give our people inspiration and hope. I will even join the team in their friendlies,”

As PBA chairman, Ricky Vargas has unified the board

The amenable governor added that the league should take the initiative of spearheading towards a "semblance of normalcy" and “give our people inspiration and hope”.

Vargas went more and asked his fellow governors to work together for basketball fans especially in these trying times.

“We need to rally our people towards a common goal. Let us all sacrifice for the greater good and for a stronger PBA. We will pivot, deliver, transform and perform,”

On a tweet, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Chairman Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan expresses his support on the idea.

“Yes to Ricky Vargas’ China friendly, A bit of an oxymoron nowadays. But hey, if it helps break the pressure and provide relief to our people, let’s go PBA.”




Vargas, who is on his fourth term as PBA chairman also pushed for the vaccination of players before the exhibition match to contribute to the healing process.

“We have to get all the players vaccinated as part of the country’s healing process,” said the chairman.

In an interview before, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said that the league will be procuring 2,000-3,000 doses of vaccine courtesy of the Philippine Red Cross. San Miguel Corporation and MVP Group also procured their respective vaccines for their players and the league as well.

It is still unknown when the PBA will kick off the upcoming season due to the continuing increase of COVID positive cases and strict quarantine measures in the National Capital Region and adjacent provinces.

Image from FIBA and Jun Mendoza