PBA explores in-season invitational with foreign clubs, Gilas pocket tourney in the mix

The PBA is looking to add a new flavor to its golden anniversary season by introducing an in-season tournament featuring foreign teams and a possible pocket event that would also showcase Gilas Pilipinas.

During the league board’s annual planning session at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Thursday (Manila time), officials discussed the prospect of staging an invitational that could bring in squads from Macau, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. 

The idea is patterned loosely after the NBA’s in-season tournament but with a local twist, tapping regional rivals as guest teams.

Interest has already been expressed by the Macau Black Bears, Hong Kong Eastern, and one Indonesian ballclub. But scheduling hurdles remain, with none of the three available to suit up at the same time across the league’s three-conference calendar. This led the PBA to consider a standalone tournament outside the regular schedule.

Spicing things up for the golden season

An in-season tournament with foreign teams and a pocket tournament with Gilas Pilipinas is a pretty good idea for the league’s 50th #PBA50 https://t.co/MIqrNRZRPA

— SPIN.ph (@spinph) September 11, 2025

“Yung Macau gusto sa all-Filipino, kaso may mga imports sila. So hindi kami pumayag,” explained Commissioner Willie Marcial.

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“Yung (Hong Kong) Eastern naman nag beg-off na. Tapos si Indonesia ang tagal ng communication from their end, kasi siguro medyo magulo ngayon dun,” he added.

Aside from foreign participation, the PBA is also weighing the idea of holding a mini-tournament for Gilas Pilipinas as it gears up for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers and the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya next year. With the Asiad not being FIBA-sanctioned, the national team is expected to be composed entirely of PBA players, making longer preparation crucial.

The pocket tourney could be scheduled before or after the Nagoya Games to give Gilas more competitive action ahead of its title defense.

League vice chairman Alfrancis Chua said the board is open to exploring both options: “Pinag-aaralan na yung Invitational tournament. So tingnan natin.”

While details are still in the works, fans could see the PBA break new ground in Season 50—not only celebrating its golden year but also opening doors to more international competition and stronger national team support.

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