Spectacular, lively opening ceremony ushers 37th PBA Season

A spectacular and lively opening ceremony like no other ushers in the
37th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) that kicks
off on Saturday, Oct.1, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Set at 4 p.m., the two-hour affair will have for its highlight the
induction of the newest batch of the league’s Hall of Fame led by
four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio and the charismatic Billy Ray Bates,
who’s currently in town to personally attend the celebration.

Patrimonio was the face of the Purefoods franchise that captivated the
hearts of many with its run of championships during the 90s, while
Bates was the force behind the historic 1983 Grand Slam of the great
Crispa Redmanizers and the first ever title of Ginebra and its playing
coach Robert Jaworski in 1986.

Bates will be reunited with two key figures of that dominant Crispa
squad during the course of the program – teammate and former MVP
Freddie Hubalde and his brilliant coach Tommy Manotoc, both of whom
are also part of the seven-man inductees to the `Hall’.

The rest of the honorees are late PBA commissioner Mariano Yenko,
former Mariwasa coach and national team mentor Valentin `Tito’ Eduque
and Vintage Enterprises CEO and president Carlos `Bobong’ Velez.

The program will not be without its regular production number and
entertainment values to be provided by the country’s top band
Rivermaya.

The ceremony sets in motion with the presentation of the league’s
newest tagline `Kampihan Na’ through a colorful production number
followed by an interesting audio visual presentation dubbed as `sphere
reveal.’

“The much awaited opening ceremony promises to be a powerfully
breathtaking visual spectacle that will set the stage for the pulse
pounding rivalries that are looming this season,” said PBA
commissioner Chito Salud.

The traditional entry of teams along with their charming muses is
again expected to be big hit among the crowd, after which the Hall of
Fame induction comes in.

Chairman Mamerto Mondragon of Rain or Shine will give his opening day
message before declaring the games open for the entire 37th season
starting off with the Philippine Cup.

Rain or Shine, featuring streak-shooting rookie Paul Lee, battles the
popular Barangay Ginebra in the lone opening match at 6:30 p.m.(PR)