NBA enjoys banner season in Philippines

Mall of Asia globe transformed into a ball for NBA playoffs. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The NBA is on a celebratory ahead of Game 1 of the Finals between the defending champions Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors, and the Philippines will be part of it.

Just as the NBA gears up for its grandest stage, it will also suit up Metro Manila into a basketball-themed metropolis.

The NBA enjoyed a banner year after experiencing growth in broadcast viewership, NBA League Pass subscriptions, and social media consumption.

As part of its celebration, the NBA will turn Mall of Asia’s iconic globe into the “Ball of Asia” while installing NBA-themed bus stops and backboards to trashcans located in Bonifacio Global City.

“The NBA’s remarkable growth in the Philippines speaks to the league’s impact and relevance to the country’s millions of passionate NBA fans,” said NBA Philippines managing director Carlo Singson.

NBA dresses up benches and trashcans around BGC. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The NBA has long been present in the Philippines’ basketball-crazed conscience through its Jr. NBA programs and unparalleled social media presence.

The league got a peak audience of 5.4 million on ABS-CBN and had an 84 percent year-over-year growth in League Pass subscriptions in the Philippines as of March 2019, making the country the fourth largest market outside of the United States and China.

The NBA also accumulated over 10.6 million combined followers on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter in the Philippines—the most of any country outside of the US.