CEBU, Philippines - After the Davis Cup and "Pinoy Pride" mega-boxing show, the city government of Lapu-Lapu brings to its shores another major sporting event as it plays host to an out-of-town game of the 37th PBA season pitting the reigning Governor's Cup champion Petron Blaze Boosters against the Alaska Aces on November 5 at the multi-million Hoops Dome.
This marks for the first time that a PBA bearing match will be staged in this bustling city now famed for is rapid sports tourism growth.
“We are lucky that we are one of those seven places in the Philippines that were chosen to host an out-of-town game of the PBA,” said City Councilor Harry Radaza during a press conference yesterday at Max's Restaurant in SM City-Cebu.
Radaza, the city council's committee chairman on sports, tourism and international relations, said it was his personal choice of teams that will play at the Hoops Dome since Petron (formerly San Miguel) and Alaska are top caliber teams with a strong following among Cebuano hoop fans.
“Kining duha ka team mao ang among gipili kay daghan og Bisaya nga players. Of course, we have our very own Dondon Hontiveros who is back at Petron and Cyrus Baguio from Alaska,” added Radaza.
Radaza said hosting a PBA game is a dream come true for them and will surely add up to the city's accomplishments in holding top-grade sporting extravaganza.
“We hosted the Davis Cup two times. We also have done ALA Boxing at Hoops Dome and now we will finally get to see a PBA game in the city,” said Radaza. “We have been working for this for a couple of months and we are planning to host PBA games annually or twice a year.”
Radaza is expecting close to 12,000 Cebuano hardcourt fans not only from Lapu-Lapu but from neighboring cities and domestic tourists to watch the game.
Tickets are pegged at P800 for ringside, P500 for lower box, P300 for upperbox and P100 for general admission
"I am advicing the public to purchase tickets from authorized outlets only so they would not be victimized by unscrupulous individuals specially the scalpers," said Radaza.
Tickets are sold at Chris Sports in Ayala and SM, Lapu-Lapu City Hall and at the barangay halls of Olango and Sta. Rosa. (FREEMAN)