• “SPHERE REVEAL,” HALL OF FAME RITES USHER IN 2011-12 SEASON

Published on September 30, 2011

A spectacular and lively opening ceremony like no other ushers in the 37th season of the Philippine
Basketball Association (PBA) that kicks off Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Set at 4 p.m., the two-hour affair will have for its highlight the induction of the newest batch of
the league’s Hall of Fame led by four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio and the charismatic Billy Ray
Bates, who’s currently in town to personally attend the celebration.

Patrimonio was the face of the Purefoods franchise that captivated the hearts of many with its run
of championships during the 90s, while Bates was the force behind the historic 1983 Grand Slam of
the great Crispa Redmanizers and the first ever title of Ginebra and its playing coach Robert
Jaworski in 1986.

Bates will be reunited with two key figures of that dominant Crispa squad during the course of the
program – teammate and former MVP Freddie Hubalde and his brilliant coach Tommy Manotoc, both of
whom are also part of the seven-man inductees to the ‘Hall’.

The rest of the honorees are late PBA commissioner Mariano Yenko, former Mariwasa coach and national
team mentor Valentin ‘Tito’ Eduque and Vintage Enterprises CEO and president Carlos ‘Bobong’
Velez.

The program will not be without its regular production number and entertainment values to be
provided by the country’s top band Rivermaya.

The ceremony sets in motion with the presentation of the league’s newest tagline ‘Kampihan Na’
through a colorful production number followed by an interesting audio visual presentation dubbed as
‘sphere reveal.’

“The much awaited opening ceremony promises to be a powerfully breathtaking visual spectacle that
will set the stage for the pulse pounding rivalries that are looming this season,” said PBA
commissioner Chito Salud.

The traditional entry of teams along with their charming muses is again expected to be big hit among
the crowd, after which the Hall of Fame induction comes in.

Chairman Mamerto Mondragon of Rain or Shine will give his opening day message before declaring the
games open for the entire 37th season starting off with the Philippine Cup.

Rain or Shine, featuring streak-shooting rookie Paul Lee, battles the popular Barangay Ginebra in
the lone opening match at 6:30 p.m.