PBA steps up media coverage

[ Source: InterAksyon ] - March 11, 2014

MANILA, Philippines - Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the PBA is embarking on a major mission to air every single game live on TV5 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and on IBC-13 for only single heade on Saturday and Sunday with additional coverage on nationwide digital-clarity radio and live streaming this season.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud, in his fourth year on the job, is providing total media mileage for the league’s franchises in an effort to maximize advertising values and create new markets. Salud will welcome a record 12 teams in the PBA fold this year with basketball interest at an all-time high across the nation because of breakthroughs in the global arena.

The other night, the PBA sponsored the red carpet premier of the 90-minute documentary “A Nation’s Passion” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila. Talks are now ongoing to market the TV, theater screening and internet download rights for the documentary which was produced by Philippine Star columnist Bill Velasco.

The documentary traces the PBA’s history and also tracks the beginnings of basketball in the country. Salud said the concept was broached to the PBA three years ago and the documentary itself was six months in the making. Over 50 individuals were interviewed here and abroad to tell the PBA story. Among those featured in the documentary are Manny V. Pangilinan, Ramon S. Ang, Fred Uytengsu, Mikee Romero, Raymund Yu, Terry Que, Bert Lina, Nikki Coseteng, Baby Dalupan, Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Francis Arnaiz, founding Commissioner Leo Prieto’s son Mike and granddaughter Rosanne, Abe King, Norman Black, Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc, Danny Florencio, Atoy Co, Johnny Abarrientos, Alvin Patrimonio, Joseph Uichico, Ricardo Brown, Freddie Webb, Asi Taulava, Danny Floro’s grandson Bones Floro, Arwind Santos, Marc Pingris, L. A. Tenorio, Dioceldo Sy, Hector Calma, Naning Valenciano, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jimmy Alapag, Mark Caguioa and Sean Chambers.

Spicing up the documentary is vintage footage of Jaworski dishing off an under-the-legs airborne pass, Bobby Parks dunking on a breakaway, Tony Harris, Ron Jacobs, Samboy Lim and the 1979 exhibition between the Washington Bullets and the PBA All-Stars. There are also highlights of Gilas’ title-clinching win over the US at the 2012 Jones Cup. TV5 will be the carrying station for the live coverage, while IBC-13 will also be the giant network for the weekend live coverage. This Sunday’s opening ceremonies begin at 1:30 p.m. with the Kia-Blackwater game set at 3 p.m. on TV5 and IBC-13 and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel- Talk ‘N’ Text contest at 5:15 p.m. on TV5 and IBC-13. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, the first game is scheduled at 4:15 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m. Saturday games kick off at 4 p.m. on TV5 and IBC-13 while in every Sunday doubleheader, the first game begins at 3 p.m. on TV5 and the second at 5 p.m. on TV5 and IBC-13.