ONLY a few—or none—can hold a candle to the PBA’s success since it first opened shop in 1975.
Fittingly, Asia’s first play-for-pay league is set to hold a grand celebration when it kicks off its golden anniversary on Oct. 4 and 5.
The PBA will try to gather all players, officials, and personnel who in one way or another became part of its existence in the last five decades to jumpstart a two-day celebration that winds up with a one-game opening match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Imbitahan natin na makapunta ang lahat ng nakatulong na makarating sa 50th season ang PBA,” pro league chief Willie Marcial said recently during the board of governors’ annual planning session at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“Paki-sabi sa lahat ng mga players at coaches na na-involve sa PBA na pumunta,” he added.
The invitation will include boxing legend and MPBL owner Manny Pacquiao and Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.
Pacquiao once played and called the shots for KIA, now Terrafirma, while Duremdes was the PBA’s MVP in 1998.
A weekend of activity is in the offing to commemorate the landmark 50th season.
On Oct. 4, a Saturday, a fan day will be held at the green gate of the Big Dome featuring the different fan clubs interacting with some players in a greet and meet where select bands are set to perform.
The PBA merchandise is likewise set to launch that same day.
In the evening, everybody who participated in the building of the league will be honored in a huge fellowship gathering the PBA’s past and present at the Meralco Theater, to be capped by a concert at the 1,000-seater venue.
The following day, the annual Leo Awards will be held in the afternoon at the Novotel Manila, where the 49th season MVP and other individual awardees are set to be feted.
Shortly after, a mini-concert will be staged and possibly, a fireworks display will be held outside the Mecca of Philippine sports.
Sunday night will be highlighted by the traditional season-opening program and the holding of the first game of the playing calendar.
“It’s a year-long celebration with the theme “Solid Ang Galing, Solid ang Laban.” But the main goal remains to entertain the fans with exciting games and make them happy. We’ll go around and bring the PBA closer to the fans,” the amiable and hard-working Marcial said.
