PBA to open, Manny Pacquiao to play, at the world’s largest indoor venue

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The Philippine Basketball Association open its 40th season on Sunday, October 19, at the Philippine Arena, the world’s largest indoor venue that accommodates 55,000 fans.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud already expressed his joy when he said that 80 percent of the venue tickets have been sold, translating to some 35 thousand fans already confirmed to attend.

“This is a huge number by any measure that can only become bigger as we get closer to opening day.”, he added.

With all the anticipation from the PBA fans the games that will be featured are expansion teams Kia Motors, which Manny Pacquiao intends to play, and Blackwater Sports. The much beloved Barangay Ginebra and Talk ‘N Text game is also expected to be the focal point of the day.

“We in the PBA feel privileged to have this opportunity to give our fans a treat - fans whose unwavering support have brought PBA to where it is today. Maraming dapat pasalamatan pag dating sa istoryang PBA at ang nasa taluktok nito ay ang ating mga fans,” he said.

The boxing icon Pacquiao would be playing and coaching for Kia Motors, according to a report.

“Yeah, he asked my permission to play in the opening day for the fans, so I told him I’ll allow him to see action for only one minute,”

“(If he plays more than a minute) I myself will take him out. I’m coming with him to Manila, sit on the team bench and act as the head coach with him as my assistant, ” joked the American trainer. “He can play as long as he wishes, if that’s what it will take to make the fans happy. I just told him to take care not to get injured.”

The Philippine Arena exceeds those venues in the NBA, where the biggest arena is the United Center, in Chicago Illinois, which has the capacity of 23,129.

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