The PBA will resume action at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said that the league has already secured the Big Dome for the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup continuation on February 11.
“Doon tayo maglalaro,” he told Tiebreaker Times, Thursday.
The league returned to Araneta last December 15 with fans in attendance after playing in bubble set-ups in Pampanga in the previous two conferences.
Serving as the highlight of that homecoming was the first Christmas game in four years, with a total of 4,843 spectators in attendance.
The conference was set to play at the venue after the holiday break until the PBA paused all its activities as COVID-19 restrictions were heightened.
Chairman Ricky Vargas said earlier that the PBA plans to make Araneta its ‘permanent venue’ for the resumption, and now it’s pushing through.
However, the league may play elsewhere in the last week of the month.
Marcial said that games may happen in either of the Ynares venues in Antipolo or Pasig, since there will be the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers.
The international tilt will take place from February 24-28 in Araneta.
“Baka maglaro tayo sa Ynares — Antipolo or Pasig. Tingnan natin. Pinagaaralan namin,” said the fifth-year league chieftain.
“Pero okay na. Nakausap ko naman si [former Rizal] Governor Junjun Ynares, at okay rin naman kay [Pasig City] Mayor Vico [Sotto].”
The planned move to Ynares is to ensure that the conference will play on even during the FIBA meet, where Gilas Pilipinas will see action.
The PBA Board will discuss matters related to the national team on Friday, while coach Chot Reyes seeks the league’s approval for his plans.
The returning mentor is looking to reinforce the Filipino crew with his players from TNT Tropang Giga as most of the pool members aren’t available.
“‘Yun ang pag-uusapan namin,” said Marcial.
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The second game of each playdate is also livestreamed on SMART Sports.
