Only one game is scheduled on the first playdate of the season–Purefoods versus Red Bull, with both teams parading talented, hungry and young imports fresh out of school.
But more than the game, what’s intriguing fans is the 40-minute program that will open the new campaign with the theme "Laban Kung Laban." ABC-TV sports director Sienna Olaso says it’s a show you can’t afford to miss.
All the players will be introduced in the opening program but instead of wearing uniforms, they’ll be in warrior-type getups. That’s to drive home the point that this season, expect all-out war on the court.
Coca-Cola’s Tigers will show up in high-flying Ninja costumes. The Talk ‘N’ Text Phone Pals will be daring car racers straight out of "The Fast and the Furious" movies. Alaska’s Aces will be schoolboy "Grease" toughies and Sta. Lucia Realty’s Realtors will be in Matrix-inspired garb. Air21’s players will be "Star Wars" characters and Red Bull’s Barakos will be "Biker Boys." Purefoods’ Chunkee Giants will be pirates of the Caribbean. Barangay Ginebra’s Kings will be gladiators and San Miguel’s Beermen will be classy hitmen from the Untouchables era.
The finale will be the national anthem, preceded by a prayer–an interesting twist because in the past, the show opened with the national anthem and a prayer.
Appropriately, three Filipino fighters will be honored in the program–Manny Pacquiao, Brian Viloria and Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista.
Some traditional features will be retained–like a song number. This season, the singer will be Jed Madela who just won a performing arts championship in the US–reflecting another victory by a Filipino "warrior."
And of course, the team muses will be around to spice up the festivities.
Sta. Lucia’s muse is Binibining Pilipinas International ’04 Maan Bayot. Purefoods’ muse is Kelly Misa. San Miguel Beer’s muse is Jenny Hernandez, a popular singer and actress who is newly signed San Miguel forward Eugene Tejada’s inspiration. Coca-Cola’s muse is commercial model Nicky Gil. Alaska’s muse is Kyla who is Aces recruit Rich Alvarez’ special friend. Air21’s muse is Bianca King.
As for Ginebra’s muse, it’s a secret, according to team sources. Who is she? Nobody’s talking from the Ginebra camp. Ginebra’s muse has been known to steal the thunder from the others in previous opening programs. Remember when Aubrey Miles strode in a few years ago? It looks like this Sunday won’t be any different, judging from the way Ginebra is guarding her identity.
A total of 17 bands will be performing a variety of music styles from pop to rhythm and blues to rap to whatever. The action starts at 7 p.m.
The players will be there in full force to mingle with the fans and jam with the bands. According to a PBA source, their attendance is a must from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Of course, they’re free to stay on beyond 9:30 p.m., that is, if their coaches allow it.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and his sons Ali and Kim will welcome the players.
PBA commissioner Noli Eala said it’s an honor for the league to be showcased in the country’s capital city.
This season, the PBA has scheduled games at the Araneta Coliseum, the Cuneta Astrodome and the Ynares Coliseum. Additionally, out-of-the-country games will be played in Guam, Jakarta, Taipei and Dubai.
Non-traditional venues are also being considered like the San Juan Coliseum, the Valenzuela Coliseum and a privately owned facility to be finished in December in Santa Rosa, Laguna, near the Enchanted Kingdom. The Santa Rosa stadium has a capacity of 8,000 fans.
Those who came and listened to the speakers weren’t disappointed.
Eala said Tony de la Cruz, Asi Taulava, Jeffrey Cariaso, Ren-Ren Ritualo, Ali Peek, Jondan Salvador and Mike Holper were among the players who thanked the league for organizing the program.
Those who didn’t bother to show up in the mandatory seminar will be fined anywhere between P1,500 to P2,000 each.
Some players came but left early with legitimate reasons like Romel Adducul and Danny Ildefonso who excused themselves to attend a Christian seminar and Paolo Bugia who had to attend classes in the Master’s in Business Administration program.
"The seminar was for the players," said Eala. "It was like a formal pep rally and we carefully chose the speakers whom we thought would be able to share something meaningful with the players. This year’s seminar was a big improvement from last year’s. The flow of the talks was smooth. Next year, we’ll try to use a workshop approach so we can generate more participation from the players. We’ll also shorten the program."
Eala himself opened the seminar by discussing the PBA’s vision and what the players can expect from the league and what the league, the teams and the fans expect from the players. ABC-TV Sports’ Sienna took up the plans, programs and expectations from the TV coverer’s point of view. Owen Bobadilla, business unit manager of Tequila Manila and TBWA/Santiago Mangada Puno agency, explained the road towards the PBA vision from an advertiser’s perspective. Bong Arroyo spoke about sports medicine. Boy Abunda gave pointers on how to cope with being a celebrity. Model Olen Lim was a big hit in showing how to look and dress like a star. Former commissioner Jun Bernardino tackled the responsibilities of a PBA player. For my part, I explained media’s role in the PBA and how a player relates to media.
Eala said Ayala Land senior vice president Rex Mendoza’s talk on financial planning for the future was a smash.
"Everyone asked for his calling card after his talk," said Eala. "We were lucky to get Rex who was recommended by an SGV partner. He did a similar talk for SGV partners and it was just as well-received."
Mendoza opened the players’ eyes to concepts of investments, savings and spending.
"He was very practical," said Eala. "He asked the players to make a listing of their assets and treat their investments as a security to maintain their lifestyle after retiring from basketball. He talked about whether a big house or jewelry is a good investment, different types of assets and spending limits."
It looks like those who didn’t attend lost more than just the fine they’ll have to pay.