Meralco, SMB see much prestige in "retro game" right on PBA's 50th anniversary

Meralco and San Miguel will wear throwback kits in the PBA's 50th anniversary games. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--You don't usually see the rematch of last year's finals showdown early into an ongoing conference.

However, it will be the case on Wednesday night when Meralco and San Miguel clash in the rematch of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

It is for a special reason, though.

The Beermen, the only active team left from the nine franchises that founded the PBA in 1975, and the Bolts, who trace their roots to the Meralco Reddy Kilowatts in the MICAA, will play in a "retro game" to celebrate the PBA's 50th anniversary right on the night of April 9, 2025.

The special game will take place at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, one of the arenas where the PBA played its inaugural season, the other being the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

"It's good na naha-hype itong game na ito because of the anniversary, and it's good for the basketball community. I hope na ma-realize namin na that is a very prestigious game," SMB coach Leo Austria said about the special game.

"Malaking karangalan sa amin to play sa 50th year anniversary game against San Miguel," Meralco coach Luigi Trillo added.

Trillo hinted that the retro jerseys the Bolts will wear resemble those of the Meralco franchise's kits when they were still playing in the MICAA.

Trillo also said that the coaching staff will have retro shirts of their own.

"It's nice for the league. We can trace our roots," Trillo said.

As for the Beermen, Austria did not mention much about the retro kits they will wear.

As a treat, tickets for the PBA 50th anniversary doubleheader that will also see Magnolia battle Converge are sold for only PHP50 for the lower box section.

Also, fans who were born in 1975 can enter the Rizal Memorial Coliseum for free as long as they can show proof.

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