PBA Opening 1996

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1. PBA Opening 1996

PBA Opening 1996
Date : February 18, 1996
Location : Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City

THE TWO-MONTH HAITUS HAD certainly left professional basketball fans craving for hardcourt action and the waiting had finally come to an end last Sunday with the opening of the 22nd season of the PBA at the Cuneta Astrodome But while the PBA still offers exciting games, it definitely looked like the pro league was living up to its billing of being more than just basketball "Showbiz na showbiz!" That was how people described the inaugurals conducted at the Cuneta Astrodome. Each team trooped to centercourt, stood on a raised dais and waved to the fans who responded with cheers. Fans felt portents of things to come when Board Representatives from each team were called one by one to the middle of the hardcourt. There, they converged and, in the same manner as players on goodwill tours do, faced the fans in a circular arrangement and waved to them. That was a first. Definitely, a first! The rest simply followed suit as muses were called and met at centercourt to do the same thing. Competing in a minipageant were Ginebra San Miguel's Amanda Page, Sunkist's Vina Morales, Shell's Teresa Herrera, Pepsi Mega's Maricel Morrales, San Miguel Beer's Candice Corral and Jessica 'Gracia' Cortez, Alaska Milk's Anna Marie Falcon and Sharon Conde, Sta. Lucia Realty's Cara Subijano and Abigail Arenas and Purefoods' Chantall Umali (with no less than 'Carlo'). But what really tugged at the hearts of fans who trooped to the Astrodome as well as those who watched the games on television (IBC Channel 13) was a special presentation depicting the present and the future of Philippine basketball. Skippers of the different teams were. called to centercourt and were asked to bring their respective ballclub's banners. There, they waited for high school dribblers representing their very own alma ted his banner mater. Alvin Patrimonio presented his banner to a dribbler from Mapua Tech; Vergel Meneses to a Jose Rizal College cager; Johnny Abarrientos to a Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraw; Benjie Paras to a University of the Philippines Preppy: Jun Limpot to a La Salle Bengal; Elmer Cabahug to a University of the Visayas Baby Lancer; Allan Caidic to a University of the East junior; And Noli Locsin to a student from the. University of St. la Salle in Bacolod. Other learning institutions were likewise honored during the opening rites as the PBA gave tribute the to grounds superstars. spawning of future To cap it all, new PBA Chair Teddy Dimayuga called on youthful Juan Miguel dela Fuerte (who sang the national anthem) to declare the season open. And, on between, cheerleaders from the University of Santo Tomas strutted their wares on the hardcourt. Clearly, on its 22nd season, the PBA deemed it right to look back in order to move forward.

List of PBA teams participated :

Alaska Milkmen
Formula Shell
Ginebra San Miguel
Pepsi Mega
Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs
San Miguel Beermen
Sta. Lucia Realtors
Sunkist Orange Juicers

List of Muses
Alaska Milkmen-Anamarie Pukon and Sharon Fuentes
Formula Shell-Teresa Herrera
Ginebra San Miguel-Amanda Page
Pepsi Mega-Maricel Morales (Mutya ng Pilipinas)
Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs-Chantal Umali
San Miguel Beermen-Candice Coral and Gracia
Sta. Lucia Realtors-Cara Sobejano and Abigail Arenas
Sunkist Orange Juicers-Vina Morales