Looking forward to the PBA’s 50th anniversary next year, commissioner Willie Marcial wants to expand the league’s horizons. Following successful overseas endeavors in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Guam, Dubai, and a collaboration with EASL, Marcial is currently focusing on expanding into Canada.
PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas, Toronto Raptors CEO Julian Franklin, and Marcial met in March in Manila to talk about possible collaborations. Charlene Ferrer, the trade commissioner for ICT and creative industries at the Canadian Embassy, accompanied Franklin. The accomplishments of the Raptors since their entry into the NBA in 1995, including their 2019 championship victory, were emphasized by Franklin, Vice President of Partnership Development & Strategy at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Marcial cited the sizeable Filipino community in Canada, especially in Toronto, as a compelling argument in favor of this new initiative.
Marcial recently visited Toronto to continue these conversations. Marcial stated, “We discussed working together.” “There are many exciting possibilities on the table.” He took part in the Gilas Legends Tour in Calgary, where the squad played in front of a sizable Filipino fan base versus the University of Calgary varsity team. Marcial also had a meeting with the organizers of Go Hard Sports, Danilo Cruz, and the Filipino-Canadians, Roderick Liwanag and Alexander Tumang, to talk about future plans.
A PBA team visiting Calgary for an exhibition match and then an official PBA game is one possible next step. Marcial also brought up the idea of starting a Batang PBA program in Calgary. A youth basketball program for boys and girls aged 11 and under and 15 and under was founded in 2004 and is called the Batang PBA. Both Canadian and Filipino youth may be eligible for this program. The potential for PBA players to run camps in Canada and Raptors players to hold camps in Manila is also being discussed.
