One-game PBA playdates to benefit fans

I must admit I had some misgivings on learning that the PBA board had approved a daily, one-game schedule for the league starting this January.
I also learned that ticket prices would remain the same, ranging from P500 to P600 for patron seats and P300-up for lower-box seats.
“Don’t you think the fans will complain, considering that they will be getting only half their money’s worth under the new scheme?” I asked PBA commissioner Chito Salud when I bumped into him at a house blessing yesterday.
Until Salud explained the plan to me, I didn’t know that the daily playdate format would only be used in the crucial rounds of the conference, starting with the semifinals.
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The purpose of spreading out the games to seven days, according to the commissioner, is to enable fans to focus and savor every game in the latter phase of the tournament. “It’s not also fair to the teams if one match is aired too early, and only the second game gets watched in full,” Salud said.
In addition to this, he said they also want the fans to get to know the players better.
“This plan has been on the drawing board for so long but could not be implemented because of the lack of venues to hold the games,” Salud said.
When the conference is over, the PBA will revert to the original two-game schedule for the elimination round of the next tournament.
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A PBA that embodies high competition, genuine sportsmanship and unmatched excellence in whatever it does—this is the Salud’s wish or vision for the league in 2012.
“This way the PBA fulfills not only its role of providing top entertainment to the fans, of serving as inspiration to aspiring athletes, of contributing to the overall national sports development. It will also serve as a window to the best that our people and country could be,” he said.
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For the New Year, we got a cross section of the current crop of PBA players to find out what their aspirations are.
Dylan Ababou’s objective for the year, when a shifting of the Earth’s axis is predicted, is simple: “My target is to have a good career in the PBA.”
On the other hand, Petron Blaze star Jay Washington’s wish for 2012 is to stay healthy.
“So I can return to active playing and help Petron win more championships,” he said with a passion.
In addition to staying healthy, Jay’s prayer is for him and his family to stay whole and happy.
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Other wishes for 2012:
Jimmy Alapag, last season’s Most Valuable Player of Talk ‘N Text: “That God continues to bless and watch my family and friends, as a way to start the New Year.” He also wishes everyone a prosperous 2012.
Ogie Menor: “My wish is for everybody to see that I’m just a physical player and not a dirty player. I just capitalize on the physique God gave me. Peace to all the players, coaches. Happy New Year to all of you!”
Jayvee Casio: “My wish is to be able to spend the holidays with my parents since they’re in the United States.”
Ryan Reyes: “Here’s wishing more championships for my team, Talk ‘N Text!”
Ronald Tubid: “I wish my family remains in excellent health, including me, so we can be together for a long time.”
Sol Mercado: “I believe in the true meaning of Christmas and that’s the birth of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. He gives the ultimate gift that some fat bearded man can’t, and that’s eternal life!”