MANILA, Philippines – With less than two months before the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, Filipino basketball fans are salivating over the opportunity to see not only Gilas Pilipinas playing against the best, but also some of the world’s cage powers like France’s Tony Parker and Boris Diaw, and Turkey’s Ersan Ilyasova.
Can the fans afford the tickets?
Al Panlilio, chief of the local organizing committee, bared the prices for the tournament:
Group Phase ticket prices:
General Admission - P200
Upper Box - P400
Lower Box - P6,800
Patron - P8,500
VIP - P10,000
Semifinals Phase ticket prices
General Admission - P200
Upper Box - P400
Lower Box - P8,000
Patron - P10,000
VIP - P12,000
Finals tickets prices:
General Admission - P200
Upper Box - P400
Lower Box - P10,000
Patron P12,000
VIP - P14,000
Panlilio noted that TV5 will provide television coverage. Some viewing parties are also being planned. “It’s an expensive cost to be hosting these qualifiers.”
And what is the cost of hosting the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila? According to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manuel V. Pangilinan, “it’s northwards of P200 million.”
“It’s an expensive price but it’s like that when you love the country. I hope the fans come out to watch," added Pangilinan.
Under Pangilinan's leadership, the Philippines attained international basketball prominence and hosted a world-class event. – Rappler.com