By Ruel Vidal (From Manila Standard)
I RECENTLY sat down with Alaska Aces big men Rey Hugnatan and John Ferriols and both agreed that the Philippine Basketball Association should not only tap into the regional fan base specifically Ilonggo and Cebuano fans of basketballs, but actually develop this fan base.
Both Hugnatan and Ferriols played for five years for the Negros Slashers, arguably the most successful franchise in the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association. It’s been eight years since the league closed shop, but its influence is still being felt in the local basketball landscape.
Former MBA stars like Hugnatan, Ferriols, Dondon Hontiveros and Dorian Pena are still among the best and most popular players in the PBA. There is the Liga Pilipinas with teams based all over the country. Even the PBA now goes on provincial tour regularly to quench the thirst of fans in the provinces to see the highest quality live basketball games.
I’ve covered a lot of basketball games in my decade-long career, but I’ve never seen such fan loyalty as when the MBA teams like the Slashers, Pampanga Dragons, Cebu Gems and Davao Eagles played in their home courts.
I’ve seen how the city of Bacolod made the Slashers their own to the point that they set aside a wing in the city museum just for the team. The turnout when the team won the Southern Conference title and paraded in the streets of Bacolod was akin to Manny Pacquiao’s parade in Metro Manila streets when he returns from abroad a conquering hero.
I just wish the PBA would not only tap on this regional fan base but actually cultivate and develop it.
I will have an exclusive interview with San Miguel Beermen Hontiveros, Arwind Santos and Jonas Villanueva. Hontiveros is of course from Cebu while Santos is from Pampanga. It will be interesting to hear their comment on the same question.
I RECENTLY sat down with Alaska Aces big men Rey Hugnatan and John Ferriols and both agreed that the Philippine Basketball Association should not only tap into the regional fan base specifically Ilonggo and Cebuano fans of basketballs, but actually develop this fan base.
Both Hugnatan and Ferriols played for five years for the Negros Slashers, arguably the most successful franchise in the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association. It’s been eight years since the league closed shop, but its influence is still being felt in the local basketball landscape.
Former MBA stars like Hugnatan, Ferriols, Dondon Hontiveros and Dorian Pena are still among the best and most popular players in the PBA. There is the Liga Pilipinas with teams based all over the country. Even the PBA now goes on provincial tour regularly to quench the thirst of fans in the provinces to see the highest quality live basketball games.
I’ve covered a lot of basketball games in my decade-long career, but I’ve never seen such fan loyalty as when the MBA teams like the Slashers, Pampanga Dragons, Cebu Gems and Davao Eagles played in their home courts.
I’ve seen how the city of Bacolod made the Slashers their own to the point that they set aside a wing in the city museum just for the team. The turnout when the team won the Southern Conference title and paraded in the streets of Bacolod was akin to Manny Pacquiao’s parade in Metro Manila streets when he returns from abroad a conquering hero.
I just wish the PBA would not only tap on this regional fan base but actually cultivate and develop it.
I will have an exclusive interview with San Miguel Beermen Hontiveros, Arwind Santos and Jonas Villanueva. Hontiveros is of course from Cebu while Santos is from Pampanga. It will be interesting to hear their comment on the same question.
No comments:
Post a Comment