Feb 23, 2021

Marcial, Vargas grateful to Sen. Go for supporting PBA

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and Board Chairman Ricky Vargas paid a courtesy call to Senator Bong Go to thank him for helping the league get through its 45th season last year played inside a bubble in Clark, Pampanga at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marcial said it was a casual meeting among him, Go, Vargas, and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Monday night at Malacanang.

"Nag-kuwentuhan at nag-pasalamat kami ni chairman Ricky kay Senator Go sa lahat ng tulong na kanyang ibinigay para matuloy ang PBA sa Clark bubble last season," said Marcial.

The senator is among those in the government who are passionate about basketball. He graciously welcomed the two PBA officials, who also told him about the new PBA season tentatively set to kick off on April 9.

"Sinabi lang din namin yung mga plano ng liga this year," Marcial shared. "Sabi naman niya (senator) tutulungan niya tayo this season together with Executive Secretary Medialdea," he added.

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Also discussed during the meeting is the country's re-hosting of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers likewise to be held at Clark, Pampanga also via a bubble.

Go inquired, too, about the naturalization of Ange Kouame, which recently gained ground at the House of Representatives. A similar bill is also pending in the Senate sponsored by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) chairman, Senator Sonny Angara.

After a seven-month inactivity following the outbreak of the pandemic, the league was able to restart the Philippine Cup in October at Clark in Pampanga under a bubble framework.