European football heading to free TV

MANILA, Philippines – ABS-CBN Integrated Sports and Thailand-based holding company Triple CH have teamed up to bring European football action to Filipino fans live and on free television channel via ABS-CBN Sports and Action starting next month.

Dino Laurena of ABS-CBN Integrated Sports head Dino Laurena and Triple CH chairman Bernard Sumayao, a Filipino who has been living in Thailand for decades, said world-class football action featuring superstars Cristano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on S+A in three of the world’s most-watched leagues — the English Premier League, La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

It will all start with the Premier League duel between Brighton and Liverpool on December 2 at 11 p.m. and followed by another Premier League showdown between Arsenal and Manchester United the next day at 1:25 a.m.

“The impossible walked into the door and taken us Filipino football fans like a giant tsunami because we’re broadcasting these world-class leagues live and on free TV when in other countries, these games are only shown on paid or cable TV,” said Laurena in Thursday’s press briefing at the ELJ Bldg in Quezon City.

“This is part of our commitment to bring the best sports content to Filipinos and we hope this will inspire our viewers not just to watch it but also take up the sport,” he added.

For Sumayao, it was just the first phase of a long-term partnership with ABS-CBN.

“This is just the first phase because our group is planning to help in the country’s grassroots development of football,” said Sumayao.

Also playing a huge role in the effort is Triple CH’s investment partner Demeter Corporation represented by managing director Sorrakit Lathitham.