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| Marian Rivera is the muse of Barangay Ginebra |
The
unprecedented triple-header drew 20,298 fans to the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in
Manila to witness the Barangay Ginebra-San Mig Coffee Mixers match-up, while
7,000 trooped to Davao to catch the Rain or Shine-Alaska Aces duel, and 3,000
to Cebu for Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters vs Meralco Bolts.
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| Isabel Oli for the San Mig Coffee Mixers |
Broadcast
live on TV5, the much-awaited Barangay Ginebra-San Mig Coffee clash
registered a 25.4% audience share, with a high of 28.7% in the game’s thrilling
fourth quarter, according to Nielsen Media’s overnight Nationwide Urban
Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) data. Further, at the height of the
game when the Gin Kings came from behind and streaked to their 86-69 victory
over the San Mig Coffee Mixers, TV5 was able to beat both GMA and ABS-CBN in
nationwide urban with 29.6% versus ABS-CBN’s 28% and GMA’s 25.3%. This
just goes to show that more Filipinos across the country were tuned in to TV5
to witness the grand opening of the new PBA season.
One
defining moment in the Opening Ceremonies at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum was the
few minutes of silence offered for the victims of the recent calamities that
struck the nation, with people in the three arenas in Manila, Cebu and Davao
going silent and offering heartfelt prayers for our suffering kababayans.
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| Maxene Magalona for Global Port |
The
opening also honored legendary players Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc, league
pioneer Lim Eng Beng and the late coach Ed Ocampo in this year’s Hall of
Famers. Also featured were the parade of teams and muses, and a laser light
show symbolizing the country’s unity and collective support for PBA.
The Gin Kings, Talk N Text, and Rain or Shine ushered the PBA’s 39th season with opening-day wins. Phoenix Petroleum was the TV5 press conference sponsor in Davao and Aicila Suites in Cebu.
The
PBA airs live on TV5 every Wednesday and Friday at 8:00pm, with a delayed
telecast of the first game at 11:00pm. TV5 airs the first game live on
Saturdays starting at 330pm, while the second game is aired live on AksyonTV at
530pm. Both games will be aired live on TV5 on Sundays beginning at 3pm. The PBA games also have a live simulcast on AksyonTV,
starting at 5:30 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, 3:30pm on Saturdays, and 3:00pm
on Sundays. Radio listeners nationwide can also follow the action on DZSR Sports
Radio 918AM.
Viewers in Guam,
North Africa, Middle East, and Europe can catch the games on AksyonTV
International.