THE PBA is looking at a piece of the ‘Payanig sa Pasig’ property or where the Metrowalk Commercial Complex stands as a possible location for its own arena.
Commissioner Willie Marcial and former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson had preliminary discussions about the league’s plan for its own arena during Game One of the Governors’ Cup finals between TNT and Barangay Ginebra at the Ynares Center last Sunday where Singson was present, a source said.
Singson, through the LCS Group, controls the Metrowalk property located at the general vicinity of Ortigas Avenue and Meralco Avenue in Pasig City. It was once the site of the ‘Payanig sa Pasig’ amusement park that became a popular attraction during the 1990s.
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According to a report by Esquire, Singson, through his BLEMP Commercial Philippines Inc., is claiming ownership of the entire 18.5 hectares of the ‘Payanig sa Pasig’ lot which includes the Metrowalk property.
Singson said last April that his company plans to redevelop the area into a ‘new city’. One of the stations of the Metro Manila Subway that is now being constructed will also be located in the area.
The PBA’s dream to build an arena it can call its own was revived after their planning session prior to the 49th season.
Last July, PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said it already has a business partner for the construction of the arena, and has tasked the league to find a suitable location.
Marcial also said during the planning session that there is a 70 to 75 percent chance that the construction of a PBA arena will be a reality.
The PBA’s desire to build its own arena was first broached during the time of commissioner Noli Eala, and was again pursued in 2010 by then league chairman Buddy Encarnado of Sta. Lucia.
With the league shelving its plan to build an arena, the PBA bounced around different venues such as the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena, Ynares Center, Philsports Arena, Ninoy Aquino Stadium, and Rizal Memorial Coliseum over the years.
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