PBA Draft moved to January 2027, new rule changes approved

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed that the next PBA Draft has been pushed back to January 2027, after the conclusion of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season.

Marcial made the announcement following the PBA Board of Governors’ planning session, explaining that the league’s 50th season will stretch to more than 15 months.

Among the decisions approved was a change to the penalty rule in the last two minutes of play. Previously, teams entered the penalty after their second foul only in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime. Starting next season, the same rule will apply to the last two minutes of every quarter.

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“Sa first three quarters, napansin namin na in the last minute o last few seconds na wala pa sa limit, sunud-sunod ang fouls para lang matigil ang opensa. Ngayon, ‘di na pwede ‘yan,” Marcial said.

PHILIPPINE Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Willie Marcial said the league will have a busy kickoff weekend for Season 50 this October. https://t.co/36BRHAROvP

— The Manila Times (@TheManilaTimes) September 12, 2025

The 63-year-old commissioner also shared that the Board is considering further adjustments to align more closely with FIBA rules. New Magnolia Hotshots governor Jason Webb has been tasked with studying possible changes, including reducing quarters from 12 minutes to 10 minutes and replacing jump balls with the possession arrow.

“Pag-aaralan namin. Yung pagbawas ng minutes per quarter, walong minuto ang mawawala sa laro at apektado ang TV advertisers. Yung possession arrows, pag-aaralan din namin dahil may mga situations na baka ‘di makatulong sa flow ng game,” Marcial explained.

The PBA continues to strengthen its position as the country’s most-watched sports league. The 2024–25 season generated a net revenue of ₱193 million, a 69-percent increase from the previous year’s ₱114 million.

Television partner Cignal/TV5 likewise reported major audience gains. The Governors’ Cup reached 22.7 million viewers, the Commissioner’s Cup 23.7 million, and the Philippine Cup 21.2 million—well above the 16.9 million and 13.7 million tallied for the Commissioner’s Cup and Philippine Cup, respectively, in 2023–24.

With its landmark 50th season approaching, the PBA aims to build on its banner showing in Season 49 while celebrating a historic milestone in Philippine basketball.

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