Fans are back at the Big Dome. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–More than a thousand fans watched the PBA’s double header at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday in the first day of the return of live spectators to the venue.
The PBA said 1,480 fans attended the match ups featuring Magnolia against Terrafirma and NLEX versus TNT at the Big Dome in Quezon City.
Only fully vaccinated fans are allowed to watch the games in the Cubao venue, which is allowed to host 3,000 to 4,000 spectators as per city regulations.
1,480 at the Big Dome tonight.
NLEX on top of TNT, 99-97. 1:21 remaining. #PBA2021 | @sonrdINQ pic.twitter.com/uD0J5rLmEj— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 15, 2021
This was the first time since March 8, 2020, before stringent lockdowns were enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that fans were allowed to watch a game live at the venue.
Instead of the usual team benches at court side, players were made to sit at a selected part of the patron section.
The Hotshots were dominant in their debut, routing Terrafirma 114-87 in the opener while the Road Warriors remained unbeaten at 3-0 after escaping Philippine Cup champion TNT, 102-100.