(PBA image)
The PBA may soon be taking its show back to Guam.
Commissioner Willie Marcial revealed that the league has received an open invitation from Guam national team coach EJ Calvo—who also serves as president of the Guam Basketball Confederation—to stage an official PBA game on the island.
Calvo personally floated the idea during the first window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, where Guam played host to Gilas Pilipinas.
“Nung pumunta tayo sa Guam, may mga gusto magpalaro,” Marcial shared. “Tapos si Coach ng Guam, sabi niya, ‘Let’s have one official game in Guam.’”
While formal talks have yet to take place, Marcial welcomed the possibility, especially as the league continues to globalize its reach in its 50th anniversary season.
“Okay sa atin yun. Umiikot tayo,” he said, noting how the league’s grassroots and outreach efforts have been expanding abroad. “Parang Batang PBA—nanganganak nang nanganganak. May Australia, Bahrain, Doha, at Canada.”
The PBA has been actively staging overseas games in recent months. In November, San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra squared off in Dubai for a Philippine Cup matchup. Bahrain is next in line, hosting Magnolia vs. Rain or Shine on December 15 and Ginebra vs. Rain or Shine on December 17.
If the Guam plan pushes through, it will mark the league’s first official game on the Pacific island in almost 20 years. Guam last hosted a PBA elimination match in the 2006–07 Philippine Cup between Alaska and Red Bull. Earlier tours included a 1994 goodwill series between Alaska and Formula Shell, and a two-game exhibition between rivals Crispa and Toyota back in 1984.
Marcial says he is fully open to talks, leaving the door wide for a PBA homecoming that Guam fans have not seen in decades.