The PBA board of governors is likely to go ahead with its scheduled planning session in Hong Kong despite the backlash in Hong Kong over the bloodbath at the Rizal Park in which eight tourists were killed in a hostage-taking tragedy on Monday.

PBA chairman Rene Pardo told the Inquirer the board “will make a final decision on Monday” after Coca Cola governor JB Baylon who was in Hong Kong had “checked it out” and reported that there was no cause for concern. Pardo  himself said he believes “this will soon die down.”

Pardo said they had verified “what it would cost if we cancel the airline tickets and hotel accommodations” and found out that it would be in the vicinity of $20,000 although he said he understands that the tickets could be used within one year .

The PBA chairman said the difficulty was that “preparations have been made” and to cancel the trip would create even more problems. 

The members of the board and the staff of incoming Commissioner Chito Salud were scheduled to leave on September 1 for the annual board meeting which would end on September 3.

Pardo explained the reason for holding the annual planning session abroad is because “its difficult to get all ten members together at the same time and when we are meeting we don’t want to be bothered” which is what invariably happens if the board’s annual planning session is held in the  country.

High on the board’s agenda is the return to the three conference format which would cut short the elimination rounds and help the broadcast rights holders financially because of the added revenues generated in three semi finals and championship series which usually generate additional commercial spots compared to the two conference schedule.

The board is also scheduled to tackle the issue of sister teams who skirt around the rule against direct trading by using a third team as a conduit which effectively doesn’t prevent what the PBA’s original rule sought to stop.

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