Dragons Bay Area coach Brian Goorjian is shown in this series of shots by multi-awarded People’s Tonight photographer Ernie Sarmiento as he celebrates the Dragons’ series-tying 87-84 victory over Barangay Ginebra in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Winner-take-all

January 13, 2023 Robert Andaya 402 views

TAKE your pick: Barangay Ginebra or Bay Area.

Failing to settle the issue as to which team is the best in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after six action-packed games, Ginebra and Bay Area face off for the seventh and last time for the coveted crown on Sunday, Jan, 15.

Venue for the blockbuster best-of-seven championship series between Ginebra, the league’s long-time crowd darlings and Bay Area, the equally-popular underdogs, is the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

And based on earlier numbers, the winner-take-all encounter is expected to break the 54,048 record attendance during Game 7 of the 2017 Governors’ Cup finals also at the Philippine Arena.

According to official reports, Game 1 at SM Mall of Asia Arena drew a total of 18,252 fans.

Game 2 attracted 16, 044 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The next three games at Mall of Asia games lured 15,004, 17,236, and 21,823 fans.

Last Wednesday, a record crowd of 22,361 watched Game 6 when the Dragons held off the Kings, 87-84, to send the series into a winner-take-all.

Meanwhile, the PBA will be providing free rides for Sunday’s deciding Game 7 of the Commissioner’s Cup between Barangay Ginebra and Bay Area.

The shuttle service is exclusive for PBA media personnel and ticket holders and will be on a first come, first served basis.

According to the league, FMR buses will be waiting for passengers at its terminal along Roosevelt Ave. in Quezon City.

The first trip going to the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan will start at 1 p.m.

The results:

Game 1 –Ginebra 96, Bay Area 81.
Game 2 –Bay Area 99, Ginebra 82.
Game 3 –Ginebra 89, Bay Area 82
Game 4–Bay Area 94, Ginebra 86.
Game 5– Ginebra 101, Bay Area 91.
Game 6 — Bay Area 87, Ginebra 84.
(Best-of-seven series tied, 3-3). 

Game Sunday:

(Philippine Arena)
5:45 p.m. — Bay Area vs. Ginebra

AUTHOR PROFILE