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A series of activities is set to kick off the PBA’s coming season starting with the regular rookie draft on Sept. 17 at the Ayala Malls Market! Market! and culminating with the opening of the Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 15.

In between, there will be the Draft Combine at the Gatorade Hoops on Sept. 12 and 13, a fun run on Sept. 24 at Bridgetown estate in Pasig, formal presscon on Oct. 10, and the traditional Media Day on Oct. 12.

Commisioner Willie Marcial bared the PBA’s calendar of events as he graced the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The hectic event prior to the season is expected to usher what would be a packed six-month timetable for Asia’s pioneering pro league which offers only two instead of its regular three conferences after adjusting its schedule to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the FIBA World Cup and the Asian Games.

“Dire-diretso ang liga aabutin tayo ng April, kasi yung finals ng Commissioner’s Cup matatapos yan ng February. Then seven to 10 days magsisimula na agad yung Phiippine Cup,” said Marcial.

The Commissioner’s Cup will have imports with a height ceiling of 6-foot-9 and below and features the returning Bay Are Dragons, runner-up to Barangay Ginebra in last year’s edition of the tournament.

A number of games are being scheduled in Hong Kong, where the Dragons are now based.