PBA eyes return to PhilSports Arena

MANILA, Philippines — A homecoming at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City looms for the PBA.

Commissioner Willie Marcial said the pro league is arranging for the conduct of games in the coming Commissioner’s Cup and eventually for the remainder of Season 47 in its old stomping ground formerly known as the Ultra.

The government-owned facility served as the main hub of Asia’s first play-for-pay league in the mid-1980s to the early 1990s.

Marcial and deputy commissioner Eric Castro met with newly appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Noli Eala the other day to discuss the possible return of the PBA games at the PSC-controlled PhilSports Arena.

“Pinag-usapan namin kung ano yung deal and nagkasundo naman kami sa napag-usapan namin,” Marcial said of their productive meeting and courtesy call on Eala, a former PBA commissioner himself.

The pro league staged its season-opening Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, MOA Arena and Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Marcial said the plan is to make the PhilSports Arena part of the regular venues for the Commissioner’s Cup that fires off Sept. 21.

“May certain days na hindi available iyung ibang venues kaya tinignan uli natin yung PhilSports Arena. At malamang, isasama na natin sa rotation din sa regular nating laro yung PhilSports,” said Marcial.

He also shared the possibility of playing a game or two at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

“Tignan muna natin pero on the table ‘yun,” said the PBA chief.