PBA turns 50 in 2025: A big event–marcial
FANS remain loyal to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), according to Commissioner Willie Marcial, as evidenced by the growth in television ratings and the league hopes more fans will return to the venues as the PBA approaches its 50th anniversary.
Marcial noted there are a lot of factors that keep fans from watching live regular non-barangay Ginebra San Miguel games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo and other venues for the past few years.
“The opener [Philippine Cup] was really challenging because most teams were still resting especially those who played in the semifinals,” Marcial told Businessmirror in a recent interview at the Big Dome’s OC lounge. “We also expect people to come during playoff games or Ginebra games.”
The opener on February 28 featured TNT against Rain or Shine, while Meralco battled Blackwater. “It’s a very challenging task to fill the arena during regular games because of many factors like economics plus the horrible traffic in Metro Manila,” Marcial said. “There are many challenges now like new entertainment stuff like Netflix and Youtube, among others. That’s why it’s hard.”
Last season and the past few years, Marcial said the PBA regular games averaged 4,000 to 5,000 spectators in various arenas. But during the playoffs, more than 10,000 fans went to watch the games live.
“Every time and anytime the fans are really a big factor that’s why we, the PBA, are prioritizing them because they are the ones who give life to the league,” the six-year commissioner said. “But attracting the fans to watch the games live is always a challenge for us and doable.”
Asked how the fan base of each team can be improved, particularly the non-san Miguel Corp. and Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP) bloc, Marcial answered: “They really need to solidify and strengthen their lineups to attract more diehard fans.”
Gearing up for golden anniversary
THIS early, Willie Marcial and the league officials are preparing for the 50th golden anniversary celebration of the PBA on April 9, 2025.
“We’ve been starting to prepare and drum up for the league’s biggest 50th birthday since last year,” he said. “We want to involve Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. I also talked to our Pballegends and to others so that they see what’s happening and they agreed.”
“It’s going to be a big event,” he stressed.
Besides Legends like Allan Caidic, Vergel Meneses, Johnny Abarrientos and others traveling from north to south promoting the event, he also confirmed that 10 more players will added to the PBA Greatest Players.
“That’s a priority because we are on 50th anniversary. Last time, we have 40 a decade ago so we will be having our selection and nomination committees handling that,” Marcial said. “And we’re so optimistic that the 50th anniversary will be the biggest celebration.”
The pro league has 12 provincial games scheduled outside Metro Manila.
Expansion in the mix of discussions
WILLIE MARCIAL, 62, said the league is also looking to expand ahead of the 50th anniversary celebration.
“We have been talking to different companies, but we have to know their financial capabilities and we have to find out if they are not competing products unless the board of governors allow it,” he said. “But let’s see.”
The last time the PBA expanded its membership was when it welcomed then Kia (Terrafirma) and Blackwater in 2014 plus the entry of NLEX after the MVP franchise bought Air21 Express.
Marcial added that the league is also working on new rules such as the head coach challenge, some changes in team fouls and transition take foul, among others.
“About new innovations let’s see in how we will improve the conference format, but for the new set of rules that’s what they are for now,” said Marcial, noting that they are hoping to attract a team abroad to increase the competition just like in 2022 when the Hong Kong Bay Area Dragons played in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Barangay Ginebra won the Commissioner’s Cup against the Bay Dragons in a Game 7 where 56,589 fans—the biggest—watched it live at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue in January last year.