PHL ARENA FINAL INSPECTION THURSDAY FOR PBA SEASON OPENER
PBA commissioner Chito Salud and his team drive to Bocaue, Bulacan Thursday for their final inspection of the Philippine Arena, then will decide if the 50,000-seater venue is fit to host the grand opening of PBA Season 40 on Oct. 19.
The league commissioner and new PBA Board chairman Patrick Gregorio actually have had an initial visit to the arena which sits on a sprawling complex between the Marilao and Bocaue exits of the North Luzon Expressway, going to Baguio.
For Team PBA, what remains to be seen is the flooring.
“We’re doing the inspection Thursday. We want to make sure the court is in place. If satisfied, we’ll hold two games there during the opening day,” said Salud.
“We’ll be ready with shuttle buses to bring the fans from Metro Manila,” Salud also said.
The PBA chieftain said a second option is an inaugural day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with a lone game that is most likely Barangay Ginebra versus Talk n Text.
A twinbill at the Philippine Arena will be featuring newcomers Blackwater and Kia Motors in the first game and Ginebra versus Talk n Text in the second match.
The league is obviously looking to break the opening-day crowd of over 30,000 attracted in three different playing venues last year – Davao, Cebu and Manila.
The Philippine Arena management has assured the PBA they can easily fill the venue for the first ever sporting event held in the venue.
The arena was built by the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation to be the venue of their recent centennial year celebration.
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