PBA Games in Dubai way of giving back to OFW fans
DUBAI – Why does the PBA keep coming back to this bustling city in United Arab Emirates despite the taxing trip that takes more or less nine hours, not to mention amid the threat of the “much-talked about” and “much-feared” “lag-lag bala” scheme apparently being carried out at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport?
“Two things,” uttered PBA chief executive officer Angelico “Chito” Salud hours after the long journey via the elegant Emirates to this progressive city acknowledged as the commercial, leisure and sporting capital at the Gulf.
“Una, gusto natin suklian ang suporta ng mga OFWs sa PBA, at pangalawa, sa malaking tulong nila sa bansa natin through their big dollar remittances,” added Salud.
It will be the ninth overseas stint for PBA overall, and the fifth in Dubai—home to about 450,000 or 64.2 % of the 700,000 OFWs living in UAE.
Barangay Ginebra is playing for fifth time here, the most by any team.
“Kahit saang sulok na mundo, Ginebra ang laging tinatanong at inaabangan ng mga basketball fans. Sana maligayahan ang ating mga kababayan pag dating ng araw ng laro,” said Salud, who heads the PBA delegation here.
The PBA is to hold a pair of games here featuring the Alaska Aces against the Mahindra Enforcers Friday at 7 p.m. (11 p.m. Manila time) at the Al Wals Sports Club.
The Aces then will then return to the hard court the next very next day to play the Gin Kings in the same time and same venue in what coach Alex Compton considered as a test of the Aces character.
“I think it will be great challenge for us and we like the challenges,” said Compton, who along with the entire Alaska team, is billeted at the elegant Cour Jardin hotel in Downtown Street.
“It will be by no means easy, but more of a character test for us this trip to see if we can overcome the fatigue in back to back games,” he added. “Hopefully we can help entertain our Filipino friends in Dubai with great games.” (AC)
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