THE PBA brings back its act around Metro Manila campuses as four teams are scheduled to hold their respective practices in some of the country's top colleges.
Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters kick off the campus tour on Oct. 17 when it visit the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) grounds in Manila.
Rookie forward Jorey Napoles was a product of the school and holds the distinction as the first TIP player in history to be picked in the PBA draft after being selected first overall (no. 12) by the franchise in 2018.
NorthPort Batang Pier follow suit the week after on Oct. 24 as the team holds practice at the Letran gymnasium in Intramuros.
The Knights of course, are being coached by NorthPort team manager Bonnie Tan, while his assistant Waiyip Chong, acts as team manager of the 17th time NCAA seniors basketball champions.
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"The semis-campus tour will enable schools and student population to experience the PBA in their campuses, while providing an inspirational vehicle for developing basketball talent," said league commissioner Willie Marcial in a statement.
"The campus visit also serves as a homecoming for some players, coaches, and team officials."
Previously, the league held pre-season games in several Metro Manila colleges during the 2015-16 season.
Come November 7, Alaska deputy coach Danny Ildefonso reminisces the past as the Aces hold court at the National University gym in Sampaloc.
The 42-year-old Ildefonso, a two-time PBA MVP who now acts as the Aces' big man's coach, once reigned as King Bulldog during the mid-90s in the UAAP.
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The following week on Nov. 14, top draft pick CJ Perez goes back to his alma mater Lyceum as Columbian Dyip holds court at the Pirates' turf also in Intramuros.
Before taking his act in Asia's pioneering pro league, the 25-year-old Perez was the school's star player, who steered the Pirates to back-to-back finals stint in the NCAA, twice losing against the San Beda Red Lions.
He was adjudged NCAA MVP right in his first season with the Pirates.
Another former Lyceum stalwart now with Columbian Dyip is big man Joseph Gabayni.
