PBA board to discuss site, design of dream coliseum

The planned construction of a permanent home for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is fast shaping up.

The PBA Board convenes two weeks from now in a special meeting to finalize and fast track the league’s ambitious project to have its own dream coliseum.

The two-day session is set Jan. 28-29.

Commissioner Noil Eala said the site where the multi-million venture will rise will be known during the two-day affair. During the session he will be presenting data — including site and design – that will expedite the final decision to get the dream project started.

Also during the meeting, the commissioner will be making his recommendation with regards to the appointment of a financial adviser for the ambitious plan.

The PBA has narrowed down the choices between Quezon City and Taguig, although the former appears to have the edge owing to its proximity and accessibility.

The sprawling vacant lot near the Manila Seedling Bank is the possible location of the arena in QC, while Taguig offered the ultra modern Global City.

 "We’re taking things step by step, and identifying the probable site is the first major move in our quest to build a PBA coliseum," said Eala.

Also to be tackled during the meeting is the design of the arena and the financial advances for the project, which Eala hopes will be due for groundbreaking rites by July.

Giant corporations PLDT and San Miguel are at the forefront of the undertaking vigorously pursued by league board chairman Ricky Vargas under his term.

As envisioned by league officials, the PBA Dome is within a giant, state-of-the-art complex that also houses a practice gym, fitness center and stalls where the 10 PBA teams can market their respective products.

The league spends around P200,000 per playdate for the use of the Araneta Coliseum, where the PBA has been holding most of its games since 1975.

Teams also pay out P5,000 each almost everyday in gym rentals for their practices.

 "We hope to change all of that once the PBA Dome becomes operational," said Eala.