More than 23,000 fans witness PBA semis doubleheader

Nuki Sabio/PBA

MANILA, Philippines — A new record in gate attendance has been set in 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup double header semifinals on Wednesday night.

The Smart Araneta Coliseum was full to the brim, with the number of spectators — who paid to watch the Alaska-San Mig Coffee, Ginebra-Talk N’ Text match ups — reaching 23,108.

Standing room only (SRO) tickets for the Upper B and General Admissions sections were sold Wednesday, but hundreds of hopeful fans still lined up outside the Big Dome earlier.

Wednesday’s attendance eclipsed the 22,902 crowd count set in the 2008 Fiesta Conference Finals game seven between Ginebra and Air21.

“Last night’s highest recorded attendance speaks to the fans’ trust and belief in the PBA’s genuine pursuit of excellence. Records are meant to be broken,” said league commissioner Chito Salud.

The numbers were provided by PBA head statistician Fidel Mangonon.