PBA to do split-venue events for PH Cup

The PBA is making a return to the Aquilino Pimentel International Convention Center for the Philippine Cup in a rare time the league will hold two games at two different arenas on the same night. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MAKATI--For the first time in recent memory, the PBA will hold same-day games in different arenas for the season-ending Philippine Cup.

For three consecutive Saturdays in April, the PBA will hold its doubleheaders in two arenas, the first game in Metro Manila and the second in another province.

The split-venue setup begins on April 13 when Rain Or Shine takes on Terrafirma at the Caloocan Sports Complex at 3 p.m.

In the nightcap at 6:15 p.m., TNT and NLEX clash in the first PBA game at the Candon City Arena.

The following week, the league will return to the Tiaong Convention Center with the Elasto Painters battling the Magnolia Hotshots.

In the first game of the April 20 twinbill, the Road Warriors collide with the Phoenix Fuel Masters at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Then on April 27, the PBA returns to the Caloocan Sports Complex with Blackwater taking on NorthPort at 3 p.m. before the action shifts back to the Aquilino Pimentel International Convention Center in Cagayan De Oro with Converge battling Ginebra at 6:15 p.m.

The league set a May 4 out-of-town game between San Miguel and Meralco, but as of posting, the venue is being finalized.

What is sure, though, is that the Bossing and the Fuel Masters lock horns in the first game back at the Ynares Sports Arena.

All the Saturday fixtures regardless of the venues will be aired live on the national free television channel RPTV and cable channel PBA Rush with live streams available on Pilipinas Live, Cignal Play, and Smart Livestream.

Holding at least two games on the same day at different arenas is a familiar sight in the PBA as the league did so on Nov. 17, 2013 during the start of the league's 39th season.

The PBA began its 2013-2014 season with three games in three different arenas, the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City for the Ginebra-Magnolia game in a rare opening night Manila Clasico, the Cebu Coliseum for the Meralco-TNT game where Eloy Poligrates made an impression in his homecoming, and the USEP Gym in Davao City for the Alaska-Rain Or Shine match.

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