THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is moving heaven and earth to make its 50th anniversary celebration a truly memorable one.
The pioneering pro league in the entire Asia began rolling the ball for its golden year by unveiling its official logo for Season 50 on Monday.
League Chairman Ricky Vargas and Commissioner Willie Marcial led the logo presentation at the Cignal launch pad, along with the PBA Board, top executives of TV 5 and Cignal together with legendary player Allan Caidic.
Marcial said the grand celebration will run for almost two years.
"Halos dalawang taon nating ise-celebrate itong 50th year ng PBA. Magsisimula tayo sa Season 49 (April 9) hanggang matapos natin yung Season 50 ng liga," the commissioner shared.
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The countdown actually began with the logo unveiling, where the letters PBA50 are all colored in gold, while the silhouette of a dribbling player in the middle is now colored in black.
The logo signifies the long journey taken by the league since its inception in 1975, and eventually earning the status as the first ever play-for-pay league in the region.
"PBA50. Solid tayo dito," was Vargas' curt but solid statement.
"We started 50 years ago, we started planning 2024 in July, and will continue to deliver a PBA."
Joining the formal logo launch were members of the board of governors composed of Vice Chairman Alfrancis Chua (Barangay Ginebra), treasurer Atty. Raymond Zorrilla (Phoenix), Atty. Bill Pamintuan (Meralco), Rene Pardo (Magnolia), Ronald Dulatre (NLEX), Atty. Mamerto Mondragon (Rain or Shine), Archen Cayabyab (Converge), Eric Arejola (Northport), Bobby Rosales (Terrafirma), and Siliman Sy (Blackwater).
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Robert Non (San Miguel) was the only team governor not around.
Also present were Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro, and TV5/Cignal Executives Jane Basas, Guido Zaballero, and Sienna Olaso.
Caidic, 61, lent his presence as part of the selection committee tasked to name the 10 additional players to the league's 50 Greatest list, which will be formally announced on April 9 - the exact date when the PBA played its first two games in history back in 1975.
And then by October 5, a series of activities has been prepared by the PBA for the opening of Season 50.
A rare homecoming featuring former players, officials, executives, and personalities involved in the league through the years are in store for basketball fans, together with the unveiling of a new championship trophy.
Also announced was the mall and school tours featuring all 12 teams and their respective players, adopt a court program, and the return of the Homecourt, where the league makes a surprise visit to different courts around various barangays in the National Capital Region.
At the same time, both TV5 and Cignal made its recommitment of support to the league through its numerous multiplatform coverages to ensure a memorable and historical celebration of the PBA's 50th anniversary.(RG)
