Organizers of upcoming PBA game at Hoops Dome promise improved hosting

Basketball fanatics can look forward to a better watching experience when Lapu-Lapu City serves host to another PBA game pitting the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters slated March 24 at the Hoops Dome.

The battle is a bearing game of the ongoing 37th PBA Commissioner’s which is laced by imports of an unlimited height.

Overcrowding was the main gripe raised by some spectators in last year’s PBA game that featured the Alaska Aces and the Petron Blaze Boosters as some ticket holders were unable to find seats.

“There was a miscalculation last year in the venue’s sitting capacity,” said Eugene Coquilla of the RTN Productions, the promoter of the event.

But for this year, steps have been taken to ensure a more organized event.

“To avoid stampede or overcrowding, we are not selling tickets more than the venue could accommodate,” said Arni Tan also from RTN. “We will only sell 7,200 tickets, which is the sitting capacity of the venue.

“We will apply the color coding system. We will make sure that everybody is seated,” added Tan in a press conference yesterday at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall.

Tan, who, for the past 20 years, has been promoting PBA games in various places in the country, said the tickets have security features to prevent the manufacturing of fake tickets.

Last year’s game, which was handled by a different promoter, was also disrupted for at least five minutes because of power interruption.

“We already acted upon that. That problem was already addressed and we will make sure that there will be no more electrical overloading,” said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza. Organizers added that a place will be provided for media people

Ticket prices are pegged at P1,500 (courtside), P1,000 (lower box), P600 (upper box) and P200 (general admission).

Proceeds of the event will go to a rehabilitation center in Lapu-Lapu City handling children with disabilities.