WHAT A WAY to commemorate its golden anniversary on April 9, as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will provide reduced tickets to select sections of the Rizal Memorial Coliseum for fans to enjoy. 

Now that the highly anticipated PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup has begun, the league officially announced on Friday that fans can enjoy the gift planned by the league for their ever-supportive fans.

The PBA has announced that lower box seats in the venue will be sold for only P50, and general admission tickets for only P30, to celebrate the league’s 50th anniversary as Asia’s oldest professional basketball league. 

The league began exactly five decades ago, on April 9, 1975, as Asia’s first play-for-pay professional basketball league. Since then, the league has seen significant changes, including the controversial four-point lane.

New Era of Basketball

During that day, the PBA launched a double-header between pioneer teams Mariwasa Noritake and the Concepcion Carrier as the opening game, with Toyota taking on U/Tex as the main event. 

Meanwhile, in its 50th year, Magnolia will face Converge on Wednesday, followed by a rematch between defending champion Meralco and all-Filipino powerhouse San Miguel. 

This is the first time the two teams will play in the Season 49 All-Filipino Conference since Meralco defeated San Miguel in six games last year to win its first PBA championship.

To make it even more spectacular, both sides are expected to wear their own throwback jerseys for the occasion. The league will also distribute unique token anniversary t-shirts at the location. 

The league’s 50th anniversary will also include the official recognition of the next ten greatest players during a gala night on April 11, as well as the start of Season 50 in October.