Filipinos’ Fiba success boon for pro hoop

THE SUCCESS of Gilas Pilipinas could translate into robust ticket sales for the Philippine Basketball Association.

Globalport team owner Mikee Romero yesterday said the performance of the men’s national team in the 27th Fiba Asia Championship will not only increase the popularity of the sport but also reap huge financial dividends for the pro league.

“If we become champions here, the PBA will be jampacked every playdate,” said Romero, who watched Gilas demolish Kazakhstan, 88-58, in the quarterfinals on Friday night.

A self-confessed Gilas fan, Romero once bankrolled the gold-winning national team during the 2007 Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championship in Indonesia and the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in the same year.

“It’s a big advantage if you’re the host,” he said. “This tournament is reviving basketball in the country.”

Globalport Batang Pier team manager Erick Arrejola also threw his support to outside gunner Gary David, a cornerstone of their team in the PBA.

“I know that he will have a breakout game,” Arrejola said.

After struggling in the group stages, David fired 22 points against the Kazakhs.