THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) celebrates its 50th year on Wednesday, April 9 with a much-awaited matchup between San Miguel Beer and Meralco, two teams with a long and colorful history of basketball, at its old haunt, Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The 7:30 p.m. mainer will see the Beermen and the Bolts wearing retro jerseys as part of the league’s golden anniversary celebrations.

Both San Miguel and Meralco played against each other in the old Manila Industrial Commercial Athletic Association during the pre-PBA days.

The Beermen later took their acts in Asia’s oldest pro league as one of the pioneer teams.

Meralco entered the PBA later in 2010.

The San Miguel-Meralco showdown marks the first time the two teams will meet in the Season 49 All-Filipino conference since the Bolts upset the Beermen in six games last year to win their first ever PBA championship.

The other game scheduled at 5 p.m. will pit Magnolia against Converge.

Both San Miguel coach Leo Austria and Meralco mentor Luigi Trillo are excited to be part of the celebrations.

“This is a very prestigious game, and it’s an opportunity for us as we’re up against the team that beat us (in the last All-Filipino Finals),”said Austria, who is seeking a fitting follow-up to their 98-89 win over the NLEX Road Warriors last Saturday.

“We’re honored that we’re playing San Miguel as part of our 50th year. We have rich traditions from our ball clubs and when we play with each other there’s a high respect for each other. They may be the oldest team but they’re also the most experienced team,”said Trillo.

“After the last All-Filipino, we know they’re (SMB) going to come back. They haven’t been winning in a while so coach Leo has that team going and they’re going to be ready.”

As part of the celebration, every fan who enters Rizal Coliseum will receive a commemorative PBA at 50 t-shirt.

Tickets will also be sold at special prices – P50 for lower box seats and P30 for general admission.

It was exactly 50 years ago when the PBA’s first-ever game was played, with Mariwasa Noritake beating Concepcion Carrier, 101-98, last April 9, 1975.

Toyota andt U/Tex also battled each other in the main game of the explosive doubleheader.

The PBA’s 50th season, however, won’t open until October this year.

Games Wednesday:

(Rizal Coliseum)
5 p.m..– Magnolia vs. Converge
7:30 p.m. — Meralco vs. San Miguel Beer

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya