THE PBA’s return to the Mall of Asia Arena proved to be a blockbuster.
Game One of the 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup finals between TNT and Barangay Ginebra on Friday night drew 11,802 spectators.
READ: TNT pulls off masterful win over Ginebra in Game 1 of PBA Finals
It was the biggest PBA crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena since Game 5 of the Season 47 Commissioner's Cup finals between the Gin Kings and Bay Area Dragons last January 8, 2023 which drew 21,823 fans, the second-largest at the Pasay venue in league history.
But hands down, the crowd on Friday night was already the largest this conference after games were watched by a, for the most part, lean audience.
From Pasay to Pasig, Antipolo, and Quezon City
The title series opener was the PBA's first playdate at the Mall of Asia Arena since 10 months ago when Ginebra beat Meralco, 89-84, on May 26, 2024, in Game 5 of the 2024 Philippine Cup semifinals.
Game 2 will still be at the modern sporting venue on Sunday when the Tropang Giga will be gunning for a 2-0 series lead before the scene shifts to the Philsports Arena and Ynares Center for Games 3 and 4, respectively.
The Smart-Araneta Coliseum will host the final three matches of the finals, if needed.
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