PBA mulls holding season opener at brand-new Philippine Arena

MANILA, Philippines – Whether the 40th PBA season opener at the 50,000-seater Philippine Arena on Oct. 19 is a go or not will be known within the week.

Plans are afoot for the holding of the grand ceremonies at the new giant dome in Bocaue, Bulacan, but the PBA has yet to make a final decision pending inspection of the hard court that has just been assembled in the venue.

“We’re doing the inspection Thursday. We want to make sure the court is in place. If satisfied, we’ll hold two games there during the opening day,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

“We’ll be ready with shuttle buses to bring the fans from Metro Manila to the Bocaue venue,” Salud also said.

The PBA chieftain said a second option is an inaugural day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with a lone game that is most likely Barangay Ginebra versus Talk n Text.

A twinbill at the Philippine Arena will be featuring newcomers Blackwater and Kia Motors in the first game and Ginebra versus Talk n Text in the second match.

Under new chairman Patrick Gregorio, the PBA board is looking to break the opening-day crowd of over 30,000 attracted in three different playing venues last year – Davao, Cebu and Manila.

The Philippine Arena management has assured the PBA they can easily fill the venue for the first ever sporting event held in the venue.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao and controversial player Paul Lee finally had a heart-to-heart talk yesterday – a development that could lead to the player’s stay at the Asian Coating Inc. ball club.

“Simple, I just asked him if he still wants to play for us. He said yes, and the discussion was over,” said Guiao on his talk with Lee in the sideline of the RoS practice at the NEGA Gym in Greenhills.

"I explained the background of what has happened as he might think we didn’t value what he has done to the team. At least naintindihan nya,” Guiao also said.

With things threshed out, Guiao advised Lee to pay team owners Raymond Yu and Terry Que a visit.

The problem cropped up when Lee’s agent, Lawrence Chongson, said more than three weeks ago that his ward wanted out of Rain or Shine and was demanding a trade despite being offered the maximum allowable amount of P15.12 million for a three-year extension.

Additionally, the league commissioner reiterated the league will not allow any ball club to be held hostage by any player.

“I do not care which player we are talking about. Let’s follow the rules,” Salud said.

“Agents, do not mislead your players, because in the long run, it is the players who will suffer. So please, show more concern to your players,” Salud also said. “The league will protect the rights, not just of the players, but most especially the mother ball clubs. That is why we have rules – the right of first refusal.”