PBA, INQUIRER.net launch partnership

Officials of INQUIRER.net, Philippine Daily Inquirer and the PBA congratulate one another after the signing of the partnership agreement Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. VIDEO BY NOY MORCOSO OF INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Basketball Association’s website has a new home.

INQUIRER.net president Paolo R. Prieto shakes hands with PBA commissioner Chito Salud after they signed a partnership agreement Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. Looking on is Philippine Daily Inquirer sales director Pepito Olarte. NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net

The PBA has officially tapped INQUIRER.net to host its website—which provides up-to-date news, exclusive features, statistics and live updates to the league’s fans—for the entire 2013 season.

INQUIRER Interactive Inc. president Paolo Prieto, INQUIRER.net COO Gary Libby and PBA Commissioner Chito Salud officially launched their partnership in running the league’s website on Wednesday.

“We’re very excited with the partnership, especially with the popularity of the PBA. It’s going to be a good partnership,” said Prieto.

Also present in the contract signing at the press room of the Smart Araneta Coliseum were Philippine Daily Inquirer president Sandy Prieto, Inquirer Group sales director Pepito Olarte and INQUIRER.net advertising head Kenny Nuyda.

The website, featuring a sleek and easy to navigate design, can be accessed through pba.inquirer.net or PBA.ph.

INQUIRER.net COO Gary Libby and PBA Commissioner Chito Salud officially sign their partnership in running the league’s website. INQUIRER.net advertising head Kenny Nuyda looks on. CELEST FLORES/INQUIRER.net

“The website has an excellent layout, is easy to surf and will be filled with the latest information, news and inside stories about the league, the teams and the players,” said Salud.

The PBA website was relaunched in December, and it has since consistently been on top of the most viewed pages of INQUIRER.net.

“Already we’re looking at a big page view jump in terms of the PBA site, and the PBA is very happy with the beginnings of our partnership,” said Prieto.

New features will be added to the PBA website monthly, and the fans and players will play an integral role.

“We have plans already until the end of the year. We know engagement is a must—you know how fans react. We also want players to be involved in the website,” said Libby.

Salud disclosed that the term of the contract signed is “for the entirety of the 2013 season, subject to renewal by the parties.”

With a good start, Prieto, though, is “looking forward to a long-term relationship.”

 First posted 4:29 pm | Wednesday, January 16th, 2013