FORMER Ilocos Sur governor Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson said he has already agreed in principle to the PBA's plan to build its own arena in his property at the Metrowalk area in Pasig that is up for redevelopment.
In an interview with Power and Play of former PBA commissioner Noli Eala on True Network, Singson said specific details are still to be ironed out, but he definitely wants the league’s arena to stand within the 18.4-hectare property that his company owns.
Singson said his company has big plans for the entire property as his group has secured an agreement with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump to transform it to a so-called ‘Trump City’ through the intercession of Century Properties founder Joey Antonio.
READ: PBA in talks with Chavit Singson on building own arena in Pasig
“Wala pang arrangement pero pumayag na ako,” said Singson on Saturday. “Pag-uusapan pa kung sino ang magde-develop, kung joint venture. Ang usapan, wala pa. Pero definitely, gusto ko maitayo ko doon sa Metrowalk.”
“Ang maganda diyan sa Metrowalk ay balita ko, nasa Amerika before the election, si Ambassador Joey Antonio, inaayos niya na siya magdedevelop sa Metrowalk at gagawin niyang ‘Trump City,’” he revealed.
“Nagkataon naman na nanalo si Trump. Magandang maganda ‘yan at ituloy natin ang pagdevelop ng Metrowalk na Trump City pero kasama ang basketball gym na malaki para may panooran ang tao na sentro."
“Binalita sa akin na parang napirmahan na ni Trump bago siya manalong presidente,” he added.
The PBA has been longing for its own arena for years, incidentally, starting during the time of Eala as commissioner, and again sometime in 2010 during the time of then-league chairman Buddy Encarnado.
The PBA revived its plans to build its own arena during its planning session prior to the ongoing 49th season, but talks gained traction when Singson watched a couple of games of the Governors’ Cup finals between TNT and Barangay Ginebra.
Singson’s group owns the property where the popular amusement park Payanig sa Pasig once stood. The property located in the vicinity of Ortigas Avenue, Meralco Avenue, and Julia Vargas Avenue is set to be redeveloped, and will soon be one of the stations of the Metro Manila Subway that is now being constructed.
Singson said funding will not be an issue as there are several quarters that is interested to help out in the construction of the PBA arena. Singson also wants the stadium to have the biggest seating capacity possible.
“Marami naman ang gustong mag-finance niyan. Kung wala, kami na ni Ambassador Joey Antonio ang magpi-finance. Hindi problema ang financing diyan dahil marami pong gustong mag-finance diyan,” said Singson.
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