The PBA’s schedule for the Philippine Cup as of February 24 has 12 playdates whose venues have yet to be announced.
As per Commissioner Willie Marcial, the league is in talks with the Philippine Sports Commission regarding the usage of the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the PhilSports Arena for those games.
Marcial said that deputy commissioner Eric Castro and the league’s legal counsel Atty. Melvin Mendoza have met with PSC chairman Butch Ramirez just recently to discuss the matter.
“Kausap na po si chairman Butch Ramirez … Nine-negotiate na namin,” said Marcial during the league’s press conference for its 45th season Tuesday at Conrad Hotel in Pasay.
“So baka ma-ano natin sa Rizal Memorial, sa Ultra. Nilagay na lang muna namin para makita niyo ‘yung schedules. ‘Pag naayos namin, sana makalaro tayo sa venues na ‘yun.”
Earlier this February, the PSC in a release said that the league — through Renato Chavez, Evihore Lopez, and Neil Tibajares — had already conducted an ocular inspection of the RMC.
The league had actually planned to hold a Governors’ Cup semifinal game at the RMC last December, but the flooring for the basketball court had not yet arrived, though it is expected to this March.
The 86-year-old RMC as well as the PhilSports Arena — formerly known as Ultra — were both refurbished last year as the Philippines hosted the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Ultra was the home of the PBA during the 1990s, so what better way for it to return as it celebrates its 45th season.
