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The state-of-the-art Mall of Asia Arena at the SM MOA Complex in Pasay City is hoping to host a preseason game of the National Basketball Association when it opens its doors next year.
Edgar Tejerero, senior vice president of West Avenue Theaters Corp., said SM, owned by business magnate Henry Sy, has grand plans on the first year of the MOA Arena and one of them is bringing in an NBA preseason game here.
“We’re changing the game, we’re offering something that’s never been done before in the Philippines,” Tejerero said at a press conference announcing the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) partnership with the MOA Arena for the league’s 88th season.
“We’re hoping to have an NBA game in the Philippines,” Tejerero added.
A number of major events are already in the pipeline at the MOA Arena, although the major announcement will come on Oct. 11.
The NCAA will consider the modern event center as its new home for its 88th Season in 2012, while the UAAP is also expected to hold its games there considering that National U, where Sy’s family is a majority owner, will be hosting next year.
Tejerero said they are also holding talks with the Philippine Basketball Association, which regularly holds its games at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
The MOA Arena has a full house capacity of 20,000 with a guaranteed seating of 16,000.
Tejerero said they actually tapped a stellar roster of architects for the Arena, including the group that plotted the Philips Arena in Atlanta, the homecourt of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.
Meanwhile, the NCAA and the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan has also linked up with SM Tickets, a partnership which officials said will give easier access for fans wanting to buy tickets for games.
“This will only make the NCAA an even bigger league,” said Mike del Mundo of Perpetual Help, which is hosting the NCAA this year.
Tejerero said, in return, the NCAA and the Arena in San Juan will have full marketing support from the SM Group.