The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Asia’s first professional basketball league opens its 2015-2016 season today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, in Quezon City. Focusing on the theme, “Liga ng mga Bida” the sporting spectacle will feature a star-studded line-up of the country’s most outstanding basketball players and their respective team muses, before a gathering of the Philippines’ adoring fans expected to fill the Coliseum in what promises to be a must-see sporting event. Aside from the much anticipated parade of teams, fans at the Big Dome and at home will have the chance to witness live performances from Asia’s Got Talent 2015 winner El Gamma Penumbra, Asia’s Got Talent Finalist Junior New System, and a never before seen performance from hip-hop superstar Abra featuring Aya of Project Pinas.
“Liga ng mga Bida”, this new basketball season’s official tagline gives emphasis to the “bida” players of PBA whose teamwork, personal dedication and perseverance enabled them and their co-players to gain the trust and loyalty of the public, a testament to our enduring reputation as a “basketball country.” But as much as the players are the “bida”, the league also recognizes the fans as “bida”, the lifeblood of the PBA and the inspiration of the players.
This season’s opening celebration promises to be a sure treat for everyone; for those who will troop to the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to partake of the celebration — both inside and outside the venue. Giant LED screens will be mounted outside the Big Dome where fans can watch the opening ceremonies and the games that will follow. A veritable show for the fans outside the venue will be something to remember, featuring red carpet interviews of the PBA players, coaches, team muses and PBA personalities, and even some of the fans; as a build-up to the actual opening ceremonies.
Aside from the anticipated parade of the hardcourt heroes, fans are also excited with the muses who will walk with their respective PBA teams during the opening ceremonies. TV stars like FHM cover girl and actress Max Collins will be Blackwater’s muse; singer host and actress Karylle will walk with Globalport and TV5s very own Eula Caballero will grace for Meralco. Beauty queens like Ms. Universe Philippines MJ Lastimosa and Mutya ng Pilipinas 1st Runer Up Julee Ann Marie Bourgoin will also charm the Big Dome with their elegance for teams NLEX and Rain or Shine respectively. Joining the line-up of these beautiful muses are also the young and tough Volleybelles; Petron Blaze Spiker Alexa Micek for San Miguel Beer, Ateneo Blue Eagle’s star Alyssa Valdez for Talk ‘N Text and De La Salle’s hitter Mika Reyes for Barako Bull.
The new 2016 PBA season will be an action-filled stage featuring the likes of veteran players like James Yap, together with up-and-coming young players like Terrence Romeo whose standout performance with Gilas in the last FIBA Asia competition has inspired PBA fans, especially the younger audiences. All the games would be aired live, including the opening ceremonies on TV5, the official broadcaster of the PBA. The network’s successful Barangay Sports5 Basketball Clinic, which visited more than 40 barangays nationwide with the objective of giving the Filipino youth a first-hand experience of proper Basketball techniques, will also be continued this year.