THE PBA is looking forward to an even vibrant 47th season following the warm reception it generated from television ratings in its just concluded two-conference term.
Chairman Ricky Vargas cited the figures given by television coveror TV 5 before the league board during its recent annual planning session, where he presented the high number of viewers who tuned in to both the finals of the Philippine Cup and Governors' Cup, respectively.
The all-Filipino finals between eventual champion TnT Tropang Giga and the Magnolia Hotshots earned an average of 2.7 million viewers or about 12 percent of the total population watching TV.
Vargas referred to the numbers as one of the highest the league ever had.
The title series was held at the Bacolor bubble in Pampanga, and won by the Tropang Giga in five games, with rookie Mikey Williams being named as Finals MVP.
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But the numbers almost doubled in the Governors' Cup championship series featuring rivals Barangay Ginebra and Meralco.
"Pagdating ng Governors Cup, we reached about 3.6 million or 17 percent of all those watching television at that timeslot," according to Vargas.
The fourth title showdown between the Kings and Bolts ended in six games with Ginebra retaining its title and beating Meralco in the finals for the fourth straight time.
Scottie Thompson was hailed the Finals MVP.
"So this are encouraging numbers and only if we can keep it that way, that would be good," added the chairman, who looks forward to sustaining or even surpassing the figures with the league returning to its regular three-conference format when the new season kicks off on June 5.
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"Baka nauhaw lang sa sports ang ating mga manonood."
The games of the PBA are being aired on free tv over TV5 and One Sports.(RG)
