BASKETBALL – BAHRAIN’S first-ever hosting of official Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games next month is part of the league’s goal of bringing its exciting brand of basketball worldwide.
This was highlighted by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, who visited the kingdom over the weekend as a guest of the Bahrain Basketball Association (BBA).
Three popular PBA teams, including Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, will be playing in Bahrain on December 15 and 17. The fixtures are part of the PBA’s 50th anniversary season and they coincide with Bahrain’s National Day celebrations.
“The games are for our countrymen in Bahrain,” Marcial said during a Press conference held on the sidelines of this year’s Bahrain Super Cup between Muharraq and Manama last week.
“The BBA asked us to bring PBA here, and why not? For me, it is one of my dreams and ambitions to bring the PBA to other countries, so others can watch the Philippine kind of basketball.”
On December 15, Rain or Shine will be taking on Magnolia, and then on December 17 Rain or Shine will play Barangay Ginebra. Both games are scheduled for 5pm tip-offs and they will be held at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.
Tickets are now available for the two contests. They can be purchased through a link published on the BBA’s official Instagram account @bh.bba.
“This is the first time the PBA will play official games in Bahrain, and on behalf of the league, we are honoured and grateful for this event,” Marcial said.
“One thing is for sure, I think the venue will be fully packed. Filipinos love basketball. In the Philippines, basketball is like a religion, and it brings passion and excitement to our countrymen.
“It will be a different kind of emotion and experience playing here in Bahrain.”
Marcial revealed that fan-engagement experiences are being planned on the days around the event. He called on Filipinos in Bahrain and across the Gulf to come and watch the two fixtures, describing their upcoming appearance in the kingdom as “our Christmas gift for our countrymen”.
“For the Filipino people, this is our Christmas gift for our countrymen,” Marcial said. “This is for you, we are here so you can watch us, and for sure we will put on great games for you with the superstars of the PBA.”
Also at the Presser was BBA vice-president Salman Hubail along with other officials from the PBA and the kingdom’s Filipino community.
&uuid=(email))