TIANJIN, China — PBA chairman Lito Alvarez is off to a fast start.

The Burger King Whopper governor assumed leadership Monday of the Board of Governors in an election held at the Peng Tian Ge Hotel, taking over from the Alaska Aces’ Joaqui Trillo.

Alvarez, who made waves before Powerade-Team Pilipinas left Manila to compete in the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship by picking 6-foot-10 Japeth Aguilar No. 1 overall in the PBA Draft, rifled off to local sportswriters during breakfast his main plans for the 35th season.

“On top of the P1.2 billion the league has earmarked for this year, we will also be looking at reviving the grand plan of constructing a permanent venue for the PBA,” Alvarez said.

“I only hope the groundbreaking takes place during my term,” he added.

A major item in his proposal which the board tackled in a day-long meeting Sunday is the amending of the league’s constitution and by-laws to allow for the conversion of the PBA into a corporation, with the commissioner serving as chief executive officer.

The former SGV accountant also wants a return to the three-conference format, imports from Asian countries like China and South Korea, seven venues for seven different play dates, the inclusion of expansion teams to complete a 12-team roster, a women’s tournament, brand alliances, and partnership with a developmental league.

“Expansion teams can bring in more revenue, and sponsors like Kia Motors could come in if we tap, say, Korean players for imports,” he said. “The opportunity for growth is really big.”

Owing to the magnitude and novelty of some of the proposals, especially the planned incorporation of the league, Alvarez said more meetings will be held once the board returns to Manila Tuesday.

“But we’re definitely going to pursue this,” he said.

Plans for the building of a PBA coliseum was extensively discussed during the chairmanship of Talk ‘N Text governor Ricky Vargas three years ago but was put to the backburner until its resurrection now.

PBA commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios, who joined Alvarez in the media briefing, welcomed the ideas.

“The Office of the Commissioner supports wherever the board decides to go into because basically it implements the board’s policies,” Barrios said.

“As the Chairman pointed out, he has revolutionary, maverick ideas which make everybody think out of the box. Of course, what can be implemented and approved will have to be processed by the board and may require more than one sitting.”