Memories, beauties & thrills at the PBA 40th Season

MANILA, Philippines - The opening of the 40th Season of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan last Sunday was a major, major success with an audience turnout of 52,612 which broke all attendance crowd records in the league’s colorful history.

Hoop-crazy Pinoys trooped to the venue hours before the opening ceremonies that started at 1:30 p.m. PBA Commissioner Chito Salud delivered a welcome remark. “When the PBA was founded in 1975, ‘di po lingid sa ating kaalaman that our country was at the height of Martial Law; isang libo at isang dahilan kung bakit di napapanahon ang pag-buo ng isang bagong liga, but our forefathers dared to do. Maraming mga pag-subok pero di sila sumuko hanggang ang kanilang ligang binigyang silang ay lumaki at lumakas…To the fans, this season is for you; this season is because of you.”

More fond memories were relished when video clips of the league’s glorious years began flashing on giant LED screens. Some of the best years featured that received the most shrieks were in 1997, when Alvin Patrimonio received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award; 2006, James Yap received his first MVP award; 2013, the first time for PBA to hold its opening ceremonies in three different venues; and 2014, Gilas Pilipinas won for the country its first FIBA World Cup after a 40-year winless drought.

PBA Board Gov. of Talk ’N Text Patrick Gregorio, on the other hand, thanked the owners and governors of the 12 teams, and chairman Manny V. Pangilinan for their unwavering support. “Our chairman MVP always tells us, ‘Man’s reach must exceed his grasp.’ Paano po tayo magiging successful kung di tayo mangangarap?  In 1975, our forefathers — Commissioner Prieto and the nine other teams — if they did not dare, if they did not try, where are we now? So to our governors, to our fans, to our players, let us continue to dream and aim high because if we do not dare and we do not try, the next generation of PBA owners and players will just harvest the fruits of our indifference. As we open this 40th season, we have a gift for all of you. This is our surprise gift to the PBA. Tignan po natin ang PBA sa 40th season. Ito ang liga!” 

Euphoric cheers and applause boomed some more inside the Arena as muses of the 12 teams came centerstage alongside team members. This year’s batch was a mix of actresses, beauty queens and prominent personalities.  Ellen Adarna strutted under the Barangay Ginebra banner; 2013 Miss World Megan Young, Talk ‘N Text; Miss Universe Phl MJ Lastimosa, Purefoods; Jinkee Pacquiao, Kia; Michelle Gumabao, Alaska; Sunshine Cruz and Annalie Forbes, Blackwater Elite; Ritz Azul, Meralco Bolts; Dianne Medina, NLEX Road Warriors; and Alice Dixson (it’s her sixth time to be a muse), Erica Adachi and Alaina Bergsma, San Miguel; Nathalie Den Dekker, Barako Bulls; Glennifer Perido, Rain or Shine; and Rachel Anne Daquis and Cha Cruz, Global Port.

But what gave a real thrill was when playing coach Manny Pacquiao led in Kia Sorento’s first five against Blackwater. Although he wasn’t able to score a point, Manny was still in high spirits for the team’s triumphant debut.

Deafening shrieks filled the venue some more as excited basketball spectators witnessed a tight battle between Barangay Ginebra and Talk ’N Text. The former left its opponent behind with a score of 101-81.

It was almost 8 p.m. when everybody started heading for home, probably telling themselves with a smile plastered on their faces, “We had a blast!”