PBA makes NAS return
From page D21
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said they are glad to return to NAS and, hopefully, they could also play at the nearby Rizal Memorial Coliseum. After all, the incumbent PSC chairman is Richard “Dickie” Bachmann, who used to serve as member of the PBA board of governors.
“I was there at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium talking with PSC chairman Bachmann,” said Marcial, who set seven playdates at the NAS, including a blockbuster game between Meralco and TNT Tropang Giga on 7 April.
“We looked around it and it was impressive. I hope the refurbishment of Rizal Memorial Coliseum will be done so that we can have a match between San Miguel and Meralco.”
If ever the games at the RMC pushes through, he will ask the Beermen and the Bolts to wear retro competition uniforms to add a tinge of nostalgia into the affair. “I will ask those teams to wear retro jerseys. Chairman already said ‘okay,’” Marcial said. “We might have a game here in Rizal this season because they will add a new flooring and goal. But for sure, we will be playing at Ninoy.” Meanwhile, teams that were either ushered to the exit door or fell short of making a deep run to the playoffs of the Commissioner’s Cup will have a chance to make an early impression in the Philippine Cup that will open on 28 February at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. NorthPort, which ended up at No. 6 at the end of the elimination round of the previous conference before getting eliminated in the playoffs by Barangay Ginebra, will have an opportunity to strike back as it faces a rebuilding NLEX squad in the main game of the scheduled double header at 7:30 p.m. Prior to that, Terrafirma and Converge clash in the other game at 4:30 p.m. Two-time Most Valuable Player James Yap and Rey Nambatac will have an opportunity to showcase their skills with new team, Blackwater, on Friday when the Bossing take on Meralco in the first game at 4:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. In the second game at 7:30 p.m., Rain or Shine, which won six of its last seven games last conference to make the playoffs, battles a depleted TNT team that is also parading a new player in Barkley Ebona.