Mandaluyong eyed as site for PBA's own coliseum

A vacant 1.5-hectare lot in Mandaluyong is being eyed by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) as a possible site for its own multi-million-peso coliseum.

PBA commissioner Atty. Chito Salud told GMANews.TV that negotiations are now ongoing between the league and the owner of the said lot. "It's located within the vicinity of Shaw and Edsa. It’s a 1.5-hectare lot," said Salud in a telephone interview. Salud added that former league chairman Buddy Encarnado of Sta. Lucia Realty has been spearheading the project. Since the league started in 1975, the games have been held in different venues such as the Araneta Coliseum, the Philsports Arena (formerly ULTRA) and Cuneta Astrodome. There were times when matches were also played at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City and Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. Salud, a second-generation commissioner, believes the league should finally have its own venue. Having recently succeeded Sonny Barrios, the son of former PBA commissioner Atty. Rudy Salud believes the league would benefit from having its own sports venue. "If the coliseum will be established there, it will be a good location as it’s near the MRT," said the younger Salud on the plan of putting up the arena in the said lot between Edsa and Shaw Blvd. "Discussions are still being done at this time, so I cannot divulge the details yet," said Encarnado, who was in the United States when called up for an interview. Ernst & Young to study coliseum makeup Ernst & Young, one of the largest professional services in the world, has been tapped by the PBA to conduct feasibility studies on the league’s first ever coliseum. "I will propose to the PBA board to have E&Y help us as well in determining an ideal coliseum for the PBA. Will it be ideal for us to build a 20,000, 15,000 or 10,000-seater coliseum? Is the 1.5-hectare lot enough for us?," Salud asked. "The Araneta Coliseum's footprint area is one hectare, but that's the coliseum alone. What about the parking area and other businesses that will operate within the coliseum?" added Salud. The younger Salud, the league's eighth commissioner, also aims to get the consensus of the board regarding the other functions of the PBA's own coliseum. "Can we get other leagues such as the UAAP and the NCAA to play in our own coliseum? Or what about staging a concert there? All these things can be tackled by the board as well," Salud concluded. Medical benefits for PBA players Educational benefits are one of the items being enjoyed by retired and active players through the PBA Player’s Trust Fund. The proceeds from the annual All-Star Games and the fines collected through technical fouls, wrong dress code, and other penalties go directly to the Trust Fund. Salud wants to expand the Trust Fund's target beneficiaries. "I will propose the inclusion of medical benefits for the players and their families," said Salud. - KY, GMANews.TV