PBA to add NLEX, Blackwater Sports, and Team KIA next season

From ten teams, the PBA will now have 13 teams next season. NLEX, Team KIA, and Blackwater Sports were all given the green light by the PBA’s Board of Governors after PBA Commissioner Chito Salud gave his input following his due diligence.

"Three applied, three were recommended, three were approved," said Salud during a press conference in the PBA Office right after the PBA Board's deliberation. “This is a momentous event for the PBA 3 expansion teams coming in for our 40th season. Nothing can be more exciting than that. They have been informally verbally informed of their acceptance. The board saw that each of the applicants was profitable and would add value to the league.”

For the 40th season of the PBA, the league will still play three conferences with a minimum of four game days per week owing to the three additional teams. To help the three teams build their lineups, an expansion draft will be done after the PBA Governors’ Cup concludes.

“We have to wait after the end of the season,” explained Salud. “(Current) teams will still choose their 14 (for protection) and who to release. Expansion draft will also be determined by lottery.”

This will give the three teams a shot at getting full-fledged PBA players from other teams. This will also be beneficial for players are spending most of their time on the bench of loaded teams because they could turn out to be stars with the new ones. However, the three teams will not be allowed to directly hire players into their rosters. This is especially tough for NLEX and Blackwater Sports as the two D-League teams have good amateur players in their lineup.

“As much as we wanted to give direct hires we cannot,” Salud said. “Only two of the three have existing teams. They did ask for direct hires.”

NLEX currently has players such as Jake Pascual, Garvo Lanete, Kevin Alas, Matt Roser, Ronald Pascual, and Rayray Parks in their roster but they will most likely see these athletes play for other PBA teams as the expansion teams will only get the 11th, 12th, and 13th picks in the next PBA Draft.

The approval of the expansion teams will see Manny V. Pangilinan’s group tie the San Miguel Corporation group with three teams each. NLEX will be joining Talk ‘N Text, and Meralco to match SMC’s Ginebra, San Migue Beer, and San Mig Super Coffee.

NLEX will be allowed to vote regarding policy issue but not on game-related ones.