MBA PLANS 10,000-SEAT COLISEUMS
Manila, Sept. 18, 1998 - If the new Metropolitan Basketball Asssociation have their way, basketball fans in major cities, towns and provincial capitals could be watching MBA games inthe luxury and comfort of giant, air-conditioned coliseums with first class amenities.
Rey Gascon, founding father of the fledgling league, revealed that the MBA has linked up with Canadian businessmen to build the 10,000-seat sports arenas in every major Philippine city and town where the MBA holds its games.
The Canadian group, according to Gascon, partly owns the Toronto Raptors in the National Basketball Association. One of them, he said, is a good friend who have seen how popular the league has become nationwide, despite the sadly deplorable conditions of the playing venues in the countryside.
The group's offer is on a build-operatetransfer scheme, making it easy for the team owners to accept the idea.
At present, the league holds its games mostly in school gyms which meet the MBA requirements. Experience have shown however that some .of the venuees could not accomodate the crowds who want to watch the games. Some of the fans have to be turned away often, while those lucky enough to get in have to endure the sweltering heat.
"This should be a welcome development not only for the teams but also for the fans," MBA Commissioner Mon Femandez said. "I just hope that it will push through."
Davao team owner Anthony del Rosario, newly-elected president of the Metropolitan Regional Basketball Association, Inc. (MRBI) which owns the controlling interest in the league, said the plan would augur well for the development of Philippine basketball in general.
A three-hectare lot worth P20 million has already been donated by philanthropist and businessman Bebot Uy to the Eagles to house a brand new superdome for Davao.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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