Philippine Sports Commissioner Chito Loyzaga, the Board representative of the pioneering San Miguel Corporation whose chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco founded the league 28 years ago, was caught by surprise over the sad state of PBL right now.

“I thought the PBL will be revived soon, I heard it’s going to take off already after almost a year of hiatus. So when I learned that it’s not taking off, I was surprised,” said Loyzaga, who was recently tasked to be the co-Chief de Mission of the Philippine delegation to the SEA Games this November.

For almost three decades, the PBL, Loyzaga said, has been a haven for players who dreamed of making it big in the pro league.

“You can’t deny the important role the PBL has played to the careers of some professional players. Most of the stars in the PBA came from the PBL,” said Loyzaga. “The PBL has served its purpose very well.”

Dioceldo Sy of Ever Bilena, Raymund Yu of Rain or Shine and Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre – all served as chairman of the league – were also disheartened, saying the efforts they have done in the past, including helping weather off several financial storms, could go down the drain if the situation gets worse.

“It’s painful to see the league I chaired for five years would just sink like that,” said Sy, who fielded several teams, including bringing in Asi Taulava in the league. “We work so hard for it and it is now in danger of being buried in the history.”

Like Loyzaga, Sy said the transfer of several teams to the PBA’s Developmental League could be the product or sign of the times.

“Time is changing so fast, maybe the D-League could address what these teams want now,” said Sy, who left the PBL after it stopped airing its games on Studio 23.

“The airing and the schedule of the games forced us to leave the PBL,” said Sy, who will be fielding a team – Blackwater – in the D-League. “Mas Marami sanang fans na manonood sa laro kung i-move ang games from 2-6 p.m. to 5-9 p.m.”

“Kung di umalis sa Studio 23 noon, baka malaki ang PBL at di na umalis ang ibang mga teams,” he added.

Yu and Romero were emotional about the sudden and shocking turnaround of events, claiming the PBL holds a special place in their heart after successfully building a dynasty.

Yu, whose partnership with Terry Que produced six championships, said he’s hoping the league could recover from its recent setback and be home to future stars once again.

“I’m really so sad about what happened to the PBL,” said Yu.

“What will happen now to my record in the PBL?” asked Romero, the chief architect behind the team’s seven championships – longest winning run in league history. “Sayang naman iyon.”

“We did not only produce a champion team, we also helped polish the skills of several stars in the PBA now,” said Romero.

Among the current PBA stars who played for Harbour Centre are Macmac Cardona and Sol Mercado of Meralco, Jason Castro of Talk ’N Text, LA Tenorio of Alaska, Ty Tang, Jeff Chan and Beau Belga of Rain or Shine and Joseph Yeo of San Miguel Beer.

Even Chot Reyes of TNT, Jong Uichico of Ginebra and Ato Agustin of San Miguel started their coaching careers in the PBL.

Unless the PBL can find a dedicated and hard-working leader, the planned revival will remain like that – a plan.

Rey Lachica, Manila Bulletin