Big Dome ready to host cage bash

MANILA, Philippines - It’s all systems go for the Ultimate All-Star Weekend at the Araneta Coliseum tonight and tomorrow afternoon with at least 1,000 designated personnel providing security, order and unobstructed viewing for more than 20,000 fans each game.

Big Dome general manager Roque Sendin said staging the All-Star series is “a logistical challenge” but vowed a smooth operation even as today, there will be two UAAP games before the 7 p.m. contest between the visitors and a PBA selection. Tomorrow, the All-Stars will battle the Smart Gilas national squad at 1 p.m. then the venue will be cleared for two PBA semifinal games starting at 5:30 p.m.

“We are deploying policemen, bouncers, security in and out of the coliseum, janitorial staff, porters, ushers and 30 box-office staff for the event,” said Sendin. “We have two separate TV networks covering the UAAP games and the All-Star event which means there will be a lot of set-up movement and transitions at the back of the house. The set-up will begin as early as 5 a.m. We expect the second UAAP game to end at 5 p.m. and we have only an hour to clean and clear then we’ll re-open the gates at 6 p.m. for the All-Star game. After the UAAP games, we will usher all our patrons to exit, sanitize the premises, conduct security checks then bring the fans in for the All-Star event. Another concern is the management of the people outside the coliseum.”

Uniprom vice president for entertainment and marketing Sienna Olaso said the Araneta Center is equipped to take care of any eventuality. “On the day La Salle and Ateneo played, we had to clean and clear thrice because there was another UAAP game and a PBA game later that night,” Olaso noted. “We expect the Ultimate All-Star Weekend to be really big since tickets were sold out in just about 48 hours. As for addressing the problem of scalping, we have covert operations tracking down scalpers within the Araneta Center. We have achieved considerable success in this with on-going litigation against apprehended offenders.”

The Ultimate All-Star Weekend will also serve as the Big Dome’s initial salvo to officially launch its new name and alliance with the country’s leading telecommunications giant. The facility will now be called the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Last Friday when word got out about the All-Star games through the social networks, basketball fans mobbed the Ticketnet office at the Araneta Center,” said Olaso. “It wasn’t surprising that general admission tickets were sold out quickly because fans know that with the installation of the Big Cube last year, they will see in crystal clear detail every bit of action and their favorite players up close. Even general admission ticket holders are guaranteed a courtside view with absolutely no need for binoculars.”

Olaso said for the games tonight and tomorrow, new sections will be opened and tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served, pay-as-you-enter basis.

The Big Cube was sourced from the leading global supplier of cutting-edge LED technology, ADSystems of Florida. It’s the world’s biggest four-screen, high-definition LED projector with a size of 22.2 square meters and a 10mm clarity pitch. In contrast, the monitor in the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas where Manny Pacquiao fought twice last year only uses a 20mm pitch. The Big Cube has the capability to project stat video splits, full scoring mode or full video mode and two live feeds on video mode. Additionally, the Big Cube has its own camera set-up and visuals may be hooked up to the TV coverage with separate enhancement for the live audience.

“It is the Araneta Center’s objective to make the live entertainment of its audience a memorable and enjoyable experience,” said Olaso. A redevelopment program is also in progress to cement the Araneta Center’s stature as the country’s entertainment mecca.

To rise possibly within the year beside the Big Dome is the first-ever “green” parking building with a 2,000 car capacity, six floors up and three basement levels. It will provide direct access to Upper Box and indirect access to Patron and Lower Box with escalators to General Admission. The building will feature weather-proof access, valet parking, a park on the top floor, carbon monoxide absorbing plants on all levels and natural ventilation.

Olaso said the Araneta Coliseum facelift will redound to a celebrity experience for the live audience. Among the changes are the creation of a VIP lounge, the upgrading of seats and the refurbished lobbies at the red, green and yellow gates with curved escalators.

“The crowds haven’t stopped coming from show to show,” said Olaso. “The Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Kylie Minogue, Stone Temple Pilots, Hillsong and Dave Archuleta shows were sell-outs. The Ateneo-La Salle game was also played to a full house. This August, we’ve lined up the NBA Fit event with Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, the Basketball Madness promo and several shows featuring Korn and Ed Kowalzcyk among others.”

Olaso and Sendin closely coordinated the staging of the Ultimate All-Star Weekend with East-West Private chief operating officer Chao Chuatico-Espaldon who organized the event on three week’s notice. East-West Private chief executive officer Patty Scott is also in town to witness the historic games.

The All-Stars flew in on four different flights from the US while Kobe Bryant arrived on a private jet from Shanghai. At least two players – Tyreke Evans and James Harden – will take a trip to Boracay after the games. Derek Fisher has to fly back to the US to continue talks with the NBA on a new collective bargaining agreement as president of the National Basketball Players Association. Bryant will leave tomorrow as he promised his wife and daughters to leave Los Angeles for a family vacation Monday morning. Chris Paul will fly to Hong Kong for a commercial visit and is not available for the Boracay tour.