Hoops Dome successful in first PBA hosting

Games today:
Araneta Coliseum
5:30 p.m.- Petron vs. Shopinas.com
7:45 p.m.- Powerade vs. Talk ‘N Text

LAPU-LAPU City’s first-ever hosting of a bearing Philippine Basketball Association  game last Saturday was a big success, despite some minor kinks.

A testament to the success of the enormous task of hosting the Alaska-Petron game was the thousands of spectators who filled the  Hoops Dome to the rafters, said Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Harry Radaza.

“We met some difficulties that cannot be avoided. We heard some complaints but overall, it was a big success. The PBA was happy with the turnout of the event,” said Radaza, who heads Lapu-Lapu’s sports commission.

Midway through the fourth period, lights inside the venue went off, halting the game for about five minutes.

“The power trip off occurred because of the additional lights that we installed. It was something that should not happen again,” said Radaza.

There were also complaints that there were ticket holders who were not able to find their seats.

“I heard that (reports that tickets were sold more than the venue could accommodate). We will have a post-mortem meeting with the organizers to discuss those concerns,” said Radaza.  “It was our first time to host a PBA game and it’s a good thing that these concerns came out so we can take the necessary steps and avoid these from happening again.”

Radaza said PBA officials were satisfied with the outcome of the game and were impressed with the quality of the venue.

“They were very open of staging another out-of-town game at the Hoops Dome,” he said.

Meanwhile, action resumes today at the Araneta Coliseum with Talk ‘N Text facing Powerade and Petron  taking on Shopinas.com./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA