THE stars are out to shine the brightest at the 17,000-seater Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai late next month.
In what could be a fitting treat to true-blue Filipino cage fans living or working in the United Arab Emirates capital, the PBA announced yesterday a lone duel pitting defending Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer and crowd darling Ginebra in celebrating its golden anniversary season on Oct. 26.
The match, expected to draw a multitude of fans in the city known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene, is set for 6 p.m. in Manila.
Dubai served as the venue of a number of official games by Asia’s pioneering pro league, including a two-day series that saw the Beermen take on the NLEX Road Warriors and NLEX against the Kings in the season-ending Governors’ Cup six years ago.
SMB frustrated Ginebra in seven games in the semifinals of the last import-less tilt and Beermen standouts like reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez are on a collision course anew with Kings counterparts Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, and RJ Abarrientos.
Aside from its Dubai sojourn, the PBA is also slated to make a stop in Bahrain for a pair of matches in December.
Three still-yet-to-be-named squads are hard-pressed to prove their worth at the Bahrain capital of Manama on Dec. 15 and 17.
Two other Middle Eastern nations—Qatar and Saudi Arabia—are being eyed to play host to duels as the league is going all out in its glamorous commemoration of a landmark year.
In another development last Friday, Terrafirma named erstwhile team manager Ronald Tubid as its new coach, replacing interim tactician Raymund Tiongco.
The Dyip own the No. 1 pick overall in Sunday’s annual rookie Draft at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, with the two-day Combine set to serve as a prelude to the proceedings on Sept. 4 and 5 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Add to that the 50th season opening shop on Oct. 5 and the overseas games and the PBA will certainly have nothing less than a milestone year.
