As part of its bid for the contract, ABS-CBN organized a charity exhibition game which aired on Studio 23, featuring PBA alumni from the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the De La Salle Green Archers.
However, Solar Sports did not automatically clinch the bid outright since the league was "insisting on a lockout to protect business interests of its team members".
[10][11] During an October 15, 2010, double-header during the Philippine Cups' elimination round, Solar's satellite equipment experienced multiple faults, including alleged problems with the encoder and power amplifier.
These technical problems caused intermittent interruptions to the telecasts, and forced a game between the Meralco Bolts and the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters to be aired on Basketball TV the next day on tape delay.
The technical problems resulted in commissioner Chito Salud issuing a ₱3,000,000 fine to Solar for not broadcasting a game live, a condition of the network's contract with the league.
In a meeting with the PBA's board, Solar also promised that it would take steps to improve the quality of its telecasts and prevent such issues from occurring in the future.
[15] On December 12, Salud announced that the PBA's Board of Governors officially approved Solar's request to find a new broadcasting partner.
[16] On February 8, 2011, the board approved a proposal made by Solar Sports to produce PBA telecasts to air on ABS-CBN's Studio 23 network for the remainder of their contract with the league, beginning with the 2011 Commissioner's Cup.