BARANGAY Ginebra will most likely be one of the teams that will be seeing action in the Christmas Day doubleheader, hopefully with fans.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said the league actually plans to hold back-to-back playdates on December 25 and 26 since the dates fall on a weekend, with the Gin Kings being slotted into Christmas Day.
“Malamang, nandoon ang Ginebra,” said Marcial on Monday, when asked if Ginebra will be playing on Christmas Day.
The Gin Kings will look to retain their Governors' Cup title they won two years ago, with import Justin Brownlee possibly playing in the Christmas Day game.
Christmas Day Clasico?
As for its opponent, Marcial said a clasico with Magnolia is also a possibility but is not discounting that other teams will be facing off against the league’s most popular team.
“Tignan natin. Ang schedule natin is per week. Tignan natin kung ano ang ikakasaya ng mga fans,” said Marcial.
The Christmas Day games will be the league's first in four years- or since Barangay Ginebra defeated Magnolia, 89-78, in 2017 at the Philippine Arena.
The Smart-Araneta Coliseum and the Mall of Asia Arena are the possible venues for the Christmas Day games, according to Marcial.
The PBA hopes to have its fans back as early as next week, having already spoken with the local government units of Quezon City and Pasay City recently.
“Nakapag-present na ako sa Pasay at Quezon City. Siguro within this week, sana payagan na tayo na magkaroon ng fans. As of now, habang walang fans, sa Ynares [Arena sa] Pasig [muna],” said Marcial.
A plan to hold a December 26 double-header is up for approval by the board in a December 13 meeting.
“’Yung December 26, may nag-suggest sa akin na gusto ng mga taong lumabas. Tingnan muna natin kung next week, makakapag-fans na tayo. Tignan muna natin ‘yung flow,” said Marcial.
“’Yung Pasko, sigurado kasi ni-request sa atin noong araw na ‘yun,” he added.
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