THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will not stand in the way of players and coaches getting lucrative offers to bring their talents abroad and play.

In fact, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial welcomed the emerging trend of players — and even coaches — bringing their acts to the Japan B-League and other professional leagues elsewhere.

“The PBA welcomes this new opportunity for our players and coaches. Kung makabubuti sa kanila at kanilang kinabukasan, gusto namin yun. No problem,” said Marcial during the initial episode of “Sports on Air Weekly” vodcast last Jan. 14.

“Sabi nga, free is in. Wala kang kontrata, pwede ka na kahit saan. Pwede ka lumaro kahit saang liga. Kung gusto mong pumunta sa Japan, Korea or Taiwan, Ok yun. Kung maganda ang hanap-buhay dun at makatutulong para guminhawa ang buhay ng pamilya, ayos yun,” explained Marcial.

“Kung gusto mong bumalik sa PBA, walang problema dahil may mga rules na tayo para dyan. Kung lilipat ka, may 3-5 years tayo depende kung saan ka papatak dun. Kung bibigyan ka ng 2-3 years, tapos kung hindi pa, another two years, hindi ka muna makakapaglaro sa PBA.”

In other developments

–The PBA will participate in the coming East Asia Super League tentatively scheduled on Oct. 12 and Oct. 19.

Marcial said two teams will represent the PBA in the home-and-away league, which will also feature teams from Japan and Korea.

“Nakausap ko na si Matt Beyer ng EASL. Nagbigay na din sila ng mga schedules: October 12 (home) and October 19 (home). Ang una nating makakalaban ay either Japan or Korea tapos sa November na ulit,” said Marcial.

“Right now, inaayos na namin ang schedule para makalaro tayo sa EASL. Two teams na mangagaling sa Top 4. I-lottery kung sino yung dalawang teams na mag-represent sa atin. Ang alam ko six legs na six home and away na laban bawat team. Kung two teams, 12 games. six games dito sa Pilipinas, at six games sa labas.”

— The PBA is maintaining a status quo policy as far naturalized imports are concerned.

“Napag-uusapan na din namin sa PBA yang issue sa mga naturalized players. But right now the decision is status quo muna. But maybe in the near future we can consider them,”said Marcial.

“Napag-uusapan na talaga dahil nga yung mga Fil-Ams, binibigyan natin ng passport lang. Pag nag-passport lang pero may dugong Pilipino, pwede na. Di na natin pinapahirapan na may BID or kung ano pa. But as of now, imports pa rin sila.”

— Due to the postponement of the games of the PBA Governors Cup, the PBA will also re-schedule the PBA Draft this year.

“Iu-urong din natin yung PBA Draft. Baka sa last week of April or first week of May na natin nito gawin,” said Marcial.