THE PBA goes on campus for an official game on Sunday in the 50th Season Philippine Cup at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.
The matches will pit NLEX against Titan Ultra at 5:15 p.m., followed by Barangay Ginebra versus Phoenix at 7:30 p.m.
The double-header will mark the first time the PBA will play an official game in the venue that was built in 2011 to commemorate the 400th-year anniversary of the university.
The PBA already played at the venue on July 5, 2023, but it was in the PBA on Tour, a series of exhibition games held during the time where Gilas Pilipinas was preparing for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
In that playdate, NLEX defeated NorthPort, 95-87, and Meralco overcame Ginebra, 106-93, in games that featured former Growling Tigers such as Allein Maliksi of the Bolts and Aljon Mariano of the Gin Kings.
Tigers go (back) USTe!
This time, however, the double-header will feature two UST alumni in Fuel Masters Bryan Santos and Dave Ando.
Santos had a one-and-done stint with the Growling Tigers in 2021, while Ando saw action for the Espana ballers from 2018 to 2021.
As far as team officials go, UST products for the two games include Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua, NLEX deputy coach and former Tigers coach Siot Tanquingcen, and Titan Ultra consultant Bonnie Tan.
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