UST, DLSU fans search for 'other' UAAP Finals tickets

MANILA, Philippines – UAAP fans found themselves in a tighter match outside the Araneta Coliseum as precious Game 2 Finals tickets between University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University were gone in the wind.

Thomasians and Lasallians brought their outrage and dismay in the social media Thursday night after someone posted a photo of alleged scalper and coliseum official.

UST Medicine student Chrizeus Delton Batara posted on his Facebook wall a photo of an alleged scalper and manager of the Araneta Coliseum and wrote his experience when he tried to purchase tickets for Saturday’s game.

“After mag-announce sa mga taong nakapila na wala nang kahit anong ticket, pumasok yung scalper sa loob ng ticket booth bumili ng sobrang daming tickets then nag-offer agad sa mga tao, bragging he has 25 pieces of patron tickets (selling) for 2500 each,” Batara said.

“I’m not against scalpers pero sana hindi sila yung priority na mabigyan at least makipag-compete naman sila sa mga nakapila for tickets,” he added.

A fan-based Twitter account of De La Salle University-Manila (@morefuninDLSU) tweeted Batara’s photo that caught the attention of UAAP season 76 official Twitter account.

WOW! So dito ba napupunta yung mga tickets? Any statement @TicketNetPH? @TheBigDome #UAAP76Finals pic.twitter.com/m0OiO5wdZO

— More Fun In DLSU (@morefuninDLSU) October 3, 2013

As with the post of page @morefuninDLSU, we are working with @TheBigDome & @TicketNetPH management about these actions from SCALPERS.

— UAAP Season 76 (@UAAP76) October 3, 2013

UST Growling Tigers Facebook account was also looking for an explanation with the loss of the remaining tickets.

“UAAP should do something about how tickets are being released. TicketNet released GA and Upper Box tickets. Schools will be releasing Upper box tickets as well. Where are the entire Lower box and Patron tickets?” asked UST Growling Tigers.

“This should be made available to the public and not to other people who are taking advantage and are selling it 500% more than its original price. These games are made for the students and they should be enjoyed mainly by them. “

As of posting, the Twitter accounts of Araneta Coliseum and Ticketnet remain mum on the issue.

Araneta Coliseum, meanwhile, on Wednesday said that they will sell Game 2 tickets on Thursday at 10 a.m. with a strict implementation of two tickets per student.

We will sell UAAP Season76 Finals Game2 tix 2moro starting at 10am via TicketNet booths. Max of 2 per person. Make sure you bring your IDs.

— SmartAranetaColiseum (@TheBigDome) October 2, 2013

Some of the tickets are being sold relatively higher than the original price in a classified ads website like sulit.com.ph