Sellout triggers ticket scalping

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Noli Eala’s grin was from ear to ear as media bureau chief Willie Marcial reported the good news that gate receipts hit the roof for last Thursday’s Shell-Purefoods game at the Lagao Gymnasium here.

It was the first PBA game in Mindanao in nearly four years. This city hosted the last contest in Mindanao on April 8, 2000 when Alaska beat Sta. Lucia Realty, 67-60, in the All-Filipino Cup.

Tickets were sold out a week before the match. There were four ticket prices–P1,000, 500, 300 and 100. Scalpers managed to get their hands on some tickets which were gobbled up by fans in a snap hours before the 6:20 p.m. tipoff.

The air-conditioned stadium’s seating capacity is a little over 7,000 but somehow, over 8,000 fans squeezed in to witness a classic game that was more than worth the cost of admission.

A local source said scalpers peddled their tickets at double the face value price and had no difficulty finding takers.

Since the PBA started the year with a bang last Feb. 22, things have been looking up for the league. Eala couldn’t be happier. Attendance is up close to 10 percent and TV ratings on ABC indicate that basketball is back as a hot prime-time ticket. Initial surveys show a significant increase in viewership from last year.

The trend is clear for a landslide and Eala isn’t even running in the May elections.

For the record, the gate receipts amounted to P1.4 million, a record for a PBA provincial game.

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Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said Lenny Cooke’s import replacement Reggie Butler will play for the Tender Juicy Hot Dogs when they face Alaska at the Big Dome tomorrow.

Butler, 26, is fresh from a stint in the Jordan league and was recommended by former PBA import Walker Russell, now a Toronto Raptors scout in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Apparently, San Francisco-based Filipino import recruiter Bobby Rius contacted Russell to look for Cooke’s replacement. Russell suggested Butler who attended a Raptors training camp two years ago.

Gregorio said NBA veteran Anthony Bonner, 35, was supposed to take over from Cookie but agent Mike Gonzalez couldn’t deliver. Bonner’s arrival was postponed thrice. There’s a chance that Bonner might show up Monday but Gregorio said he’s not holding his breath.

Gregorio mentioned that former imports Ben Davis and Sean Lampley are available. But for the moment, the Hot Dogs are hoping Butler shapes up.

Butler, who averaged only 2.9 points as a Xavier University senior in 2000-01, flew to Manila last Wednesday then took an early morning flight to meet his new teammates here the next morning. When they were introduced, Gregorio noticed Butler’s resemblance to Chris Webber but said he’s not expecting him to play like the Sacramento Kings star.

"We’re not expecting Reggie to be a dominant import," said Gregorio. "All we want is for him to rebound and play defense. We need a post player and he’s comfortable playing with his back to the basket. At least, he won’t take away the offense from our locals."

Battling jet lag and unfamiliar playing conditions, Butler was a pitiful sight last Thursday. He finished with nine points, 12 rebounds, two blocked shots and four turnovers in 31 minutes. Butler shot 2-of-6 from the field and 5-of-6 from the line.

With Cooke gone and Butler in, fans are wondering if Purefoods’ next import will be another kitchen hand. Maybe, a Waiter?

Gregorio said Lady Luck’s not been on his side lately but he’s confident things will turn around, sooner than later.