 |
| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/TV5 Network Inc.) |
After the successful run of the Governor’s Cup Season 46 with the Finals series hitting record breaking ratings and audience shares since 2016 and attracting one of the biggest live crowd attendance, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) continues to evolve and rise mightier as it officially kicked off Season 47 through week-long lineup of star-studded and spectacular festivities leading to the grand season opening on June 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Airing live on TV5, One Sports, Cignal TV’s PBA Rush, Cignal Play, Kapatid Channel in North America and iWantTFC outside the Philippines and USA, PBA Season 47 becomes one of the most highly anticipated comebacks among basketball enthusiasts hungry for hardcourt action.
The week-long trail of activities for the Grand Opening of PBA Season 47 started with a press conference on May 30 followed by Pre-Season TV Specials on June 1 and 3 (which was aired live on TV5 & PBA Rush). League officials and team representatives gathered last June 2 for the Officials Meeting & Media Day while a grand fireworks display within the Smart Araneta Coliseum open grounds took place the day prior to the highly-anticipated season opener. The PBA Season 46 Leo Awards took place as a pre-event to the Season 47 opening ceremony hosted by sportscaster and former national athlete Denise Tan and sports journalist Jutt Sulit. This award-giving body allowed PBA to continue its tradition and honor last season’s standouts. Barangay Ginebra's Scottie Thompson was named as Most Valuable Player while Mikey Williams of TNT Tropang Giga bagged the top rookie award. Thompson and Williams were also part of the league's First Mythical Team along with San Miguel Beer's Junemar Fajardo, Magnolia's Calvin Abueva, and NorthPort's Arwind Santos. Meanwhile, the Second Mythical Team is composed of Ian Sangalang (Magnolia), Christian Standhardinger (Barangay Ginebra), Mathew Wright (Phoenix), Robert Bolick (NorthPort), and CJ Perez (SMB). The other awardees include:
• Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award: Kevin Alas (NLEX)
• Most Improved Player: Juami Tiongson (Terrafirma)
• All-Defensive Team: Cliff Hodge (Meralco), Arwind Santos (NorthPort), Kelly Williams (TNT), Jio Jalalon (Magnolia), Chris Ross (SMB)
Hosted by TV personality and former volleyball star Gretchen Ho and comedian-actor Vhong Navarro, the PBA Season 47 Opening Ceremonies featured celebrity performances by Lovi Poe, Buganda Drumline, G-Force dancers, Born to be a Star winner Jehramae Trangia, One Voice Children’s Choir, POPinoy winners, and Sing Galing Kantastic 6 and the traditional parade of team colors and this season's set of muses representing the league's participating teams comprising of actresses AJ Raval (Ginebra), Michelle Dee (Magnolia) and Sue Ramirez (TNT); beauty queens Hannah Arnold (Blackwater), Maureen Wroblewitz (Converge), Bea Magtanong (NLEX), Celeste Cortesi (Phoenix) and Joana Marie Relloso (Rain Or Shine); models Zabel Lambert (Northwater), Ksenia Grondetska (SMB), and Azriel Coloma (Terrafirma); and Southeast Asia's triathlon queen Kim Mangrobang (Meralco).
 |
| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/ABS-CBN Corporation) |
This season’s campaign, “Game Tayo Dito!”, highlights the all-new level of intensity and the competitiveness the teams are bringing. A campaign that resonates to the basketball game, the players, the league, the broadcast team and most especially to the fans. Nothing can stop the PBA from shooting up to greater heights as the passion for the game forges on. Now back to its original three full conferences format, stay tuned to TV5, One Sports, Cignal TV’s PBA Rush, Cignal Play, Kapatid Channel in North America, and iWantTFC outside the Philippines and USA for the most thrilling PBA action this Season 47.
