PBA Opening 1989

Aug 8, 2023 - 17:45 Updated: Jul 6, 2024 - 16:06

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1. PBA Opening 1989

PBA Opening 1989
Date : March 05, 1989
Location : University of Life Theater and Recreational Arena (ULTRA) in Pasig

List of PBA teams participated :

Alaska Milkmen(General Milling Corporation) Wilfred Steven Uytengsu
Añejo Rhum 65ers(La Tondeña Incorporada) Carlos Palanca III
Purefoods TJ Hotdogs(Purefoods Corporation) Renato Buhain
Presto Ice Cream Makers(Consolidated Foods Corporation) Lance Gokongwei
San Miguel Beermen(San Miguel Corporation) Jose Ibazeta
Formula Shell Zoom Masters(Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation) Reynaldo Marquez

List of Muses

Alaska Milkmen - Debbie Po
Añejo Rum 65 - Gretchen Barretto
Formula Shell - Leah Orosa
Presto Ice Cream - Dina Bonnevie
Purefoods Hotdogs - Lea Salonga
San Miguel Beermen - Marilou Gonzales and Rachel Lobangco

A festive air, indeed, pervaded throughout the UL Arena last Sunday as the 15th edition of the PBA, Asia's only play-for-pay loop, unfolded with the traditional glitter and glamour. For this year, the PBA has set a theme which will embody its goal not only for today but for the future generation. The theme: "PBA for Greater Public Service." While the PBA has been known to be a medium for entertainment, Commissioner Rudy Salud, now on his second year as league top honcho, wants the PBA to be a tool for social development, too. "The public interest is always paramount," said Salud during a press conference. Aside from ensuring balanced line-ups for better games, Salud and the six member teams of the PBA have made sure that PBA watchers at the ULTRA will be comfortable. "We have reduced the prices of food items inside the ULTRA. Presto, San Miguel, Purefoods and Alaska-- the four teams that sell food items have decided to pass on commodities at factory price. But that does not mean that the two other teams will not give their share. Añejo and Shell have joined hands to build more pedestrian walks out- side the ULTRA," added Salud. Indeed, these little things meant a lot to the fans who trooped to the ULTRA last Sunday. On top of that, Salud made sure that for the first time in 15 years, 750 ringside tickets were available to the buying public. Salud said that he will continue the drive against scalpers, gamblers and the like to make PBA games more wholesome. In this connection, the PBA is working closely with the municipality of Pasig, the CAPCOM and the NBI.

The Fiesta spirit was truly alive at the ULTRA with the Fiesta Islands Dance Troupe and Choral group doing their thing to the delight of the crowd. Once again, the PBA aims to promote "Filipino Products". And basketball, Filipino style, is one of the best in the world. Both male and female fans were thrilled no end by the opening rites. Naturally the female fans shrieked their hearts out at the sight of their favorites cagers.
But male fans had a lot to feast their eyes on as each participating team came in with beauteous muses that captivated the crowd's fancy. Crowd favorite Añejo Rum 65 checked in with no less than regular PBA habitue Gretchen Barretto, sweetheart of Rum Supreme, Emesto Joey' Loyzaga. Presto marched in with voluptuous Dina Bonnevie who has come a long, long way since her 'Katorse' days and is now one of the finest dramatic stars in the country. Purefoods had 18-year old Leah Salonga, a former Repertory Philippines stand- out who became a contract star of Viva Films. Salonga, who passed the auditions for the play 'Ms. Saigon', is leaving for London anytime now. Of course, Shell had charming Leah Orosa, that good-looker girl on the Formula Shell ad that goes, "Get it out of your dreams and into your car." Ms. Orosa, after the parade, went to the bleachers to lead the Shell cheering section. Alaska Milk had Debbie Pe, a 22-year- old Marketing consultant from dela Salle. Defending champion San Miguel had two, not just one, muses in the persons of Marilou Gonzales and Rachel Lobangco. Gonzales is a 22-year old AB History graduate of UP, while Lobango, 19, is a surrealist artist from UST. Senator Rene V. Saguisag, who used to play basketball during intramurals while taking up law at San Beda, was guest of honor during the inaugurals. Doing the ceremonial first toss, he faked off Alaska's Adriano's Polistico and Presto's Rizaldy Realubit and the crowd just loved it.