A state-of-the-art venue deserves an event like no other. If plans push through, the soon-to-rise Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City will play host to a pre-season NBA game next year.
Officials of the MOA Arena said they are now holding talks with NBA Asia for the possible staging of the exhibition game – an ambitious project expected to put the Philippines back in the world map.
“The target date is October 2012,” Erl Orenza, assistant vice president for MOA Arena said over lunch at SM MOA on Friday.
“Our initial meeting (with NBA Asia) revealed that the arrangement (for the game) should be done one year in advance.”
Orenza, however, clarified that the plan will only proceed if the NBA will be able to settle its ongoing labor dispute. Reports said it could last for months and could even threaten the 2011-2012 season.
The NBA has locked its players out of team facilities in an attempt to force their hand in collective bargaining negotiations.
“We’re looking at inviting the top teams. Of course, Miami because of coach Erik Spoelstra (who is half-Filipino) and Dallas, the reigning champion. The Los Angeles Lakers are also among the list,” Edgar Tejerero, senior vice president for West Avenue Theatres Corporation said.
The 16,000-seater, five-level Arena along with its 2,000-capacity car park will be opened in May next year, and the NBA game will be one of its biggest offerings.
“That’s one thing the Pinoys haven’t really experienced yet,” Orenza said. “If ever, we will be the first country in Southeast Asia to host that kind of event.”
The international NBA exhibition games have been staged in Japan, China and Europe in the past.
In October last year, the Houston Rockets beat the New Jersey Nets, 95-85, in a preseason game marking the debut of the Guangzhou International Sports Arena in Guangzhou, China.
NBA regular and pre-season games have been also held in Japan six times since 1992.
According to NBA’s website, the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama hosted an NBA opening game between Seattle Supersonics and Houston Rockets.
Hosting an NBA game won’t come cheap. And the MOA Arena officials are bracing for it.
“It’s really expensive,” Tejerero said. “But we know that NBA has a market here in the Philippines.”
“When we first made that offer in a high-level meeting (with NBA Asia) a month ago, we’re prepared for the consequences of bringing them here. And we totally believe that a lot of groups will be helping us out,” Tejerero continued. “We’re not just looking at an event solely for MOA Arena but for the country.”
