The PBA may spend the holidays at the Big Dome.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said that the SMART Araneta Coliseum could possibly play host to the league’s Christmas games this year.
“As of now, Araneta ang Christmas game natin. Kausap ko na sila,” said the amiable chieftain in a virtual presser Friday evening.
This comes after the league gained the approval of the Quezon City LGU, led by Mayor Joy Belmonte, to stage games in the capital with fans.
The PBA will start playing in Araneta next Wednesday.
Matches taking place on Christmas Day, though, remain undetermined. There are multiple factors to consider, with test results on top of the list.
So, as open as Marcial is to the idea, it remains to be seen if crowd darlings Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will be part of it.
“Tingnan natin, bibigyan natin ng surpresa ang mga fans. Pinaagaralan lang namin, kasi depende rin sa testing natin,” he said.
What’s certain is that games will be held not only on the 25th but on the day after as well, with the league keen on bringing entertainment back to the fans.
“May laro po tayo ng 25, Sabado, may laro din po tayo ng 26, Linggo.”
The PBA last held Christmas games in 2017.
Back then, NLEX beat GlobalPort, 115-104, and the Gin Kings took down Magnolia, 89-78 in a Clasico affair at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
Now, it’s sure to be another busy yuletide season for the league.
Aside from the Christmas games, the 3×3 inaugurals is also staging its last few legs, including the one-day Grand Finals slated on December 29.
