As part of its preparation for the opening of the 40th PBA Season on Oct. 19, the league’s Commissioner’s Office is coordinating with the management of Kia Motors, North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Jam Liner Inc. that will allow a smooth flow of traffic and easy access at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
PBA Commissioner Chito Salud recently bared plans for that particularly day regarding free access for basketball enthusiasts who are eager to witness the start of the 2014-15 Season at the 55,000-seater arena.
PBA Operations chief Rickie Santos said yesterday that he already had talks with officials of concerned parties, namely Kia Motors, NLEX and Jam Liner Inc., which will provide at least 200 buses for the public.
“We already met with them, and basically we discussed the traffic flow. We’re waiting word from Kia and Jam Liner since they will still meet regarding the bus scheme that will be set up for the public,” said Santos.
While traffic isn’t usually congested during Sundays at NLEX, the league’s commissioner’s office still wants to have it under control, anticipating a huge crowd for the opening of the PBA.
The opening rites of the 40th Season is set at 1:30 p.m., while the first game is between expansion teams Kia Cars – starring boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao – and Blackwater at 3 p.m.
In the main game, crowd drawer Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will face nemesis Talk ’N Text at 5:15 p.m.
Salud, when he initially bared last week the league’s plans to work with Kia Motors, NLEX and Jam Liner, he said that they are thinking of having specific locations or the pick up and drop off points for the fans.
The commissioner explained that the buses will be in a particular area, and it will take the PBA fans at the venue. After the games, the same buses will bring the fans back to the same location where they came from.