As I sit here scrolling through basketball forums and social media feeds, I can feel the collective anticipation building among Filipino basketball fans. The question on everyone's mind - when does PBA start this season? I've been following Philippine basketball for over fifteen years now, and I can tell you this annual wait always brings a special kind of excitement mixed with impatience. The buzz this year feels particularly intense, especially with all the developments surrounding the national team and coaching landscape.

Just last week, I was having coffee with fellow sports journalists when the conversation inevitably turned to Tim Cone's recent revelation. The grand slam champion coach admitted he's been approached by the SBP about the Gilas Pilipinas comeback, though he hasn't sat down with officials led by president Al Panlilio and executive director Erika Dy yet. This development could significantly impact the PBA schedule, as we've seen in previous seasons where national team commitments forced the league to adjust its calendar. I remember back in 2019 when the Fiba World Cup qualifiers caused a three-week delay in the Commissioner's Cup, pushing the entire season back by nearly a month.

From my perspective, the PBA's scheduling has always been this intricate dance between various stakeholders - team owners, broadcast partners, venue availability, and of course, the national team's requirements. Based on historical patterns and the current discussions happening behind the scenes, I'd estimate we're looking at a mid-September tip-off for the 2023-2024 season, probably around the 15th, though the official announcement likely won't come until late August. The league typically runs for about 42 weeks across three conferences, with each conference lasting approximately 14 weeks including playoffs. That means if my prediction holds, we're looking at the season wrapping up around July next year.

What many casual fans don't realize is how much preparation goes into each PBA season. Teams usually begin their training camps about six weeks before the opening game, which means if my September prediction is correct, we should see teams gathering their players by early August. The draft is another key milestone that typically happens about a month before the season starts. I've spoken with team managers who've told me about the logistical nightmare of coordinating with 12 different teams, securing venues like the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena, and working with TV partners for the broadcast schedule. It's this complex machinery that makes the PBA one of Asia's most professionally run basketball leagues.

The Gilas factor adds another layer to this scheduling puzzle. Having covered Philippine basketball since the early 2000s, I've noticed how national team duties have increasingly influenced the PBA calendar. If Cone does take the Gilas job - and personally, I think he'd be fantastic for it - we might see the league building in more breaks for international windows. The Asian Games in Hangzhou are scheduled for September 23 through October 8, which could further complicate the early season schedule. I wouldn't be surprised if the PBA decides to start the season in early October instead, allowing players potential Gilas commitments to participate in both the league and national team duties.

Looking at the broader basketball ecosystem in the Philippines, the PBA's timing also needs to coordinate with collegiate leagues and other local tournaments. The UAAP season typically wraps up in early December, while the NCAA concludes around late November. This scheduling harmony allows fans to follow multiple leagues without significant overlap and gives graduating college players a clear pathway to the draft. I've always appreciated how the Philippine basketball calendar manages to create this continuous flow of high-quality basketball throughout the year.

As we wait for the official announcement from the PBA office, I suggest fans keep their calendars flexible for mid-September through early October. Based on my sources within team management circles, the league is considering starting on September 22, but this could shift depending on how the Gilas coaching situation resolves. The uncertainty around Cone's potential appointment - with him yet to meet with SBP's top brass - adds this fascinating variable to the mix. Having followed Cone's career since his Alaska days, I believe his system-based approach would benefit Gilas tremendously, though it might require some schedule adjustments from the PBA.

The beauty of Philippine basketball lies in these interconnected stories - the PBA schedule isn't just about dates on a calendar but reflects the dynamic relationship between club and country, between domestic priorities and international ambitions. As someone who's witnessed numerous PBA seasons unfold, I can say this upcoming one promises to be particularly compelling, with the Gilas narrative adding extra intrigue to the usual excitement. So while we wait for that official start date announcement, I'd recommend following the developments around Cone and the SBP closely - because in Philippine basketball, everything connects in the most fascinating ways.