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ABS-CBN pulls out, TV5 now lone bidder for PBA coverage


The supposed bidding for next season’s Philippine Basketball Association coverage has now been reduced to only one choice – TV5. This was after ABS-CBN pulled out and decided not to pursue with its bid for the coverage rights of the pro league’s 37th season. “ABS-CBN has pulled out and informed us during Friday’s deadline for the submission of conforme for the terms of reference that they are no longer interested in making a bid," PBA commissioner Atty. Chito Salud told GMA News Online. But Salud said TV5 is not yet the official coveror of the PBA. “They still need to make a financial and marketing presentation to the Board of Governors on Friday. If the board approves it, then it’s a go," added Salud. TV5 has offered a five-year pact, the terms of the contract will be known on Friday. The PBA’s contract with Solar Entertainment ends on August and the current coveror had already notified the league earlier that they will no longer renew or make an attempt to bid for the coverage. Solar Entertainment entered a block time agreement with ABS-CBN’s UHF Channel Studio 23 at the start of the second conference all the way to the end of the season, fueling speculations the network already had an inside track as far as the coverage rights is concerned. - Rey Joble/KBK, GMA News