Samsung PBA road games big hit to fans

The Philippine Basketball Association’s sorties to provinces for out-of-town games in the Samsung All-Filipino Cup have been a tremendous success, if only for the way fans there have been cramming the playing venues in the past three road trips.

"The fans have been great and they have welcomed us warmly on the road," enthused commissioner Noli Eala.

And all for a reason.

The PBA has showcased some thrilling games and exciting match-ups during these road trips, including the Baguio City foray between Ginebra and Sta. Lucia, which filled the Eastern Colleges gymnasium beyond its capacity.

The gym had a maximum capacity of 3,500, but the ticket sales shot up to 3,779 sold.

"The reason for the fans’ patronage is simple. They realize that the kind of action Metro Manila audiences watch is the same kind of action they get, nothing less and maybe even more," said Eala.

More, indeed. In fact, the first and so far only double overtime game took place in Iloilo City, where Coca-Cola wiped out a four-point deficit in the first extension to defeat Purefoods in a heart-stopping match, 93-88.

In Bago City, on the other hand, FedEx drew a big shot in the endgame from Renren Ritualo as the Express shocked the then unbeaten Alaska Aces, 90-86.