P20K a pop: Scalpers having field day at FIBA OQT

Scalpers operating as discreetly as they could around Mall of Asia Arena are having a heyday peddling tickets for Gilas Pilipinas’ first game in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

A long line formed at least five hours before the Filipinos’ clash with NBA superstar Tony Parker and his French squad yesterday, all of them trying their luck to buy a ticket.

The Inquirer bumped into one of the scalpers, who spoke in a barely audible voice: “Boss, patron, bente mil lang (patron seat for P20,000).”

Patron tickets from the box-office sell for P10,000 each, while lower-level seating costs P8,000 each.

Scalpers are said to have obtained their tickets from online selling, which was opened to the public months before the event.
* * *
Andray Blatche scared this nation when he limped out of the floor late in Gilas Pilipinas’ final tuneup against Turkey last Friday.

The naturalized center twisted his left ankle in a rebound play and skipped practice the following day.

With the Philippines going into battle last night, fans were wondering whether the 6-foot-11 former Brooklyn Net would be fit enough to carry Gilas through this tough grind.

“He’s OK. He showed no ill effects of the ankle twist,” said Bong Tulabot, Gilas’ long-time utility man.