PBA fans get high in Dubai; Kings face Giants

DUBAI – The PBA stages its first-ever official game in this dazzling, sun-baked emirate – too far away from home but almost right before a hometown crowd with thousands of Filipino workers expected to troop to the Al-Ahli Sports Club today for the much-awaited Ginebra-Purefoods showdown.

Gauging from the OFWs reception at the airport, where workers swarmed their favorite players from both clubs while clicking away with their digicams and cellphones for souvenir shots, the Kings-Giants clash at 2:30 p.m. is a sure-fire hit.

"They (Filipinos here) are our modern day heroes and the PBA is happy to give them a big basketball treat right in the place where they are," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala, who headed the delegation to this booming city by the gulf.

Obviously not wanting to fail the expecting OFWs here and probably make their visit quite memorable, both the Kings and the Giants made light workouts at the venue after an early morning breakfast at the Avari Hotel in preparation for the highly anticipated game, made possible by the organizing Filipino Basketball Center led by chairman Ramon Pizzaras and assisted by ex-PBA player Ric Roces.

"It is a great opportunity to play here, as we all know there’s a lot of Filipinos here…at least makadagdag tayo ng konting kasiyahan sa kanila," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

The Kings will be trying to keep their hot streak going in the season-ending tournament, while the Giants are deadset to make a follow-up to their Easter Sunday victory and thereby end their elimination campaign for first round on a high note.

Both camps are upbeat, particularly coach Jong Uichico, who said in jest his Kings would bring in more heat in this city, one of the most industrialized and the most modern among the seven Arab Sheikdoms on the Persian Gulf forming what is called the United Arab Emirates.

The Kings are currently locked on a three-way logjam with Red Bull and Alaska Milk, which defeated San Miguel Beer, 94-84, last Wednesday. The three teams are all sporting 6-2 win-loss slates.