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The Philippine Basketball Association yesterday opened its 36th season with a new team, a new commissioner and a whole new outlook in the PBA’s 2010-2011 Philippine Cup.

“The PBA today has matured and is ready to adapt to the changing world,” said lawyer Chito Salud, in what was considered his inaugural address as the league’s eighth commissioner.

Salud told the jampacked Araneta Coliseum that this season will have three conferences, the formats of which have been re-designed to “make the eliminations more explosive.”

“We have the best players in the country and young talented players eyeing to join. And we have elders and former players who will make sure that the PBA not only stays on court but goes to the next level,” said Salud whose father Rodrigo was the league’s maverick commissioner in the 1980s and 1990s.

Salud also revealed that the league will be adopting handicapping which will be introduced in the third conference “to make weaker performing teams gave stronger chances.”

He also said that concerns over spotty officiating – a source of gripe and tension in the past – have also been addressed. “We redefined officiating – more action and less interruption.”

And perhaps in an answer to Alaska team owner Fred Uytengsu’s sharply worded speech at the PBA Press Corps awards night last Wednesday, Salud emphasized that “only equal player trades will be allowed.”

“My trademark is a level playing field and decision-making that will inspire public confidence,” he said.

Meralco Boltz made their debut in a match against Ginebra San Miguel still being played as of presstime.

The Boltz, an interesting mix of experience and youth, were bannered by veterans Marlou Aquino and Asi Taulava and were joined by four rookies in Shawn Weinstein, Riego Gamalinda, Claiford Arao and Khazim Mirza.

For the Philippine Cup, the 10 teams will be divided into two groups where teams will play their groupmates once and from the other group twice.

As such, there will be 14 games per team in the elimination round with the top eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals and the last two making early exits.

Group A will be composed of Barako Bull, B-Meg Derby Ace, San Miguel Beer, Powerade and Rain or Shine while Group B consists of Air 21, Alaska, Barangay Ginebra, Meralco and Talk and Text.

Games resume Wednesday with Rain or Shine facing off with Powerade and Talk ‘n Text testing B-Meg Derby Ace.