PBA committed to hold games for Dubai OFWs

DUBAI – Even before the staging of the 2011 PBA Dubai two-game swing, the PBA and the local organizers sealed an agreement to treat Filipino workers here to at least a game each in the next five years.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud and the Dubai-based Filipino Basketball Center, headed by Ramon Pizarras, made that commitment to the OFWs here during a press conference at the Asiana Hotel Wednesday.

The request came from Pizarras, a Bohol native, whose group actively organizes and promotes basketball events to entertain cage fans in this Middle East business hub.

Pizarras himself introduced Smart Gilas Pilipinas here with the Nationals making good impression not only to the OFWs but also to the locals.

“We all say that the OFWs are our modern-day heroes. We don’t just pay lip service. We’re doing what we can, going out to provide them some entertainment,” said Salud to cheers from the OFWs.

“We are reaching out to our OFWs because we feel we owe them a debt of gratitude,” Salud added.

Salud stressed it’s for that reason why the PBA has been going overseas with visits in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Guam and here before he assumed the league commissionership.

PBA operations chief Rickie Santos said the league granted FBC a big discount in organizing rights just to accommodate its wish to bring the PBA back in Dubai. The PBA had its previous visit here in 2007.

“In terms of earning a profit, it doesn’t make much sense because we could easily make money if we were to stage these games in Manila. The PBA is in Dubai for love and affection to our countrymen,” said Salud.

The PBA is back in Dubai for a two-game special featuring elite teams Talk n Text, B-Meg and Barangay Ginebra.

The grand slam-seeking Tropang Texters play back-to-back games, taking on the Llamados Thursday (late last night in Manila) and the Kings Friday.

The Tropang Texters, at 3-0 going here, hope to return to Manila having secured a seat in the semifinal round.

The Llamados and the Kings are out to improve their chances for the semifinals that feature the last six teams (with their carry-over records) figuring in another round-robin to determine which will make the best-of-seven finale.

A team which notches five wins in the semis gets an automatic playoff shot at the finals regardless of its overall win-loss slate.

NOTES: Just like in Manila, Barangay Ginebra is the crowd favorite here as evidenced by the brisk sale of the TnT-Ginebra setto. “Actually, they’re asking why not Ginebra is featured in back-to-back games,” said Pizarras. PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial explained Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes agreed on this as early as the second conference. Tickets range from Dh60 (P720) to Dh150 (P1,800)..... Smart Gilas, like the PBA teams, is now well known to OFWs here – thanks to their decent showing in at least two international invitationals. “Initially, I thought mapapahiya yata ako because Gilas lost its first game. Then they went on a run and they really made good impression,” said Pizarras.