MANILA, Philippines — With the so-called “Sixth Man” returning to the playing venues, Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone expects action in the PBA Governors’ Cup to get a lot more competitive and exciting.
“I remember watching the NBA, Major League Baseball and NFL when they started coming back in the US. Stadiums were half full but still, you could see the whole level of play go up to another level from the time they were in the bubble,” Cone said.
“I think you’ll see that here. Doesn’t matter how many fans are in there; it’s going to go up because that’s what we play for.”
Armed with the green light from Quezon City led by Mayor Joy Belmonte, the PBA set up its first set of audience-attended games in pandemic times beginning tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Double-headers are scheduled daily from Dec. 15-19 with fully-vaccinated spectators only allowed to occupy limited sections or as many as 4,000 seats.
More Governors’ Cup matches are slated on Dec. 22, 25 and 26 while the PBA 3x3 stages its Leg 6 on Dec. 20-21 and First Conference Finals on the 29th.
Ticket-selling opened yesterday with prices set as low as P75 (upper box) to as high as P375 (Patron A), according to Ticketnet.
Cone’s charges look forward to the crowd and the inspiring “Gi-ne-bra! Gi-ne-bra!” chants.
“Obviously for Ginebra, we’re the most excited but everyone, to a person, in the PBA is excited about this,” said Cone.
The Gin Kings, who opened their title defense with a hard-earned 80-77 win over Alaska last Sunday, are booked to play in front of fans on Friday against NorthPort.
“I told the guys before Sunday’s game, ‘Today we got to take care of our game ourselves.’ I said, ‘Next game we’re going to have some help from our fans,’” said Cone. “It’s been a long while and we’re all excited about having fans in the stands (again).”