I AM back.

Yes, after a few years of absence, I am resuming my weekly column in People’s Tonight, thanks to my old friend and sports editor Ed Andaya.

And what is a better subject to dwell upon than the current situation where the PBA finds itself now, faced with problems in the past with a shrinking live audience, lower TV ratings, and now with its top players moving out to Japan and Korea.

After all, basketball players are like other employees, on the look out for better-paying jobs whether here or abroad, and right now, the PBA cannot or will not match the higher offers from these other professional leagues abroad.

Unless the PBA is willing to risk legal cases from affected players, cases that the league will lose for sure except for those involving breach of existing contracts.

But then my real question is whether the PBA will be open to well meaning suggestions from third parties, including fans even as a lot of them are brutally frank of how they perceive the league.

Just check out social media postings, not just against the PBA but the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas or SBP, and you will see what I mean.

I say this because I truly believe that unless the PBA agrees to examine itself objectively and see where they can institute changes, even out of the box moves, then it may see itself sinking deeper in a quagmire.

Fans may be very critical of certain things but they have reasons to be.

On top of the list is the way player trades happen now, with the top picks eventually making their way to either San Miguel Corporation or the MVP Group, leading to another criticism that the league has become a two-company competition.

A friend said one way is for the PBA to get a truly independent group to run the league, meaning a strong and independent Commissioner.

Maybe like Leo Prieto in the distant past.

Or review then change its player trade policies, particularly involving top pick players to get away from the farm team impression of other PBA teams.

Maybe think of how the PBA can move to a regional based league similar to the MBA concept before to assure each team is given fan base.

Even touching base with other professional or semi professional leagues in the region to see how they can adopt win-win situations.

All of these will certainly entail risks for the league, and so the need for comprehensive studies before adopting any major change.

Change will always start within, that is a fact.

LOOSE CHANGE: I was shocked to hear about People’s Journal Sports Editor Joe Antonio’s sudden demise. He was one of the truly good guys in the sports media. My condolences to the family. By Lito Cinco