Fans rocking finals showdown

Barangay Ginebra’s “ka-barangay” and TNT’s “ka-tropa” are bringing life and energy in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup finals.

The best-of-seven championship series drew huge crowds in the first two games of the exciting rivalry that hasn’t fallen short of epic.

With how the gate attendance panned out in the previous outings, the 10,000-seater Philsports Arena in Pasig City is expected to get packed for Game 3 today with the series level at one game apiece.

“I hope they’re (fans) hanging from the rafters,” Kings head coach Tim Cone quipped after his team eked a 71-70 victory to tie the showdown.

Game tickets will be a hot commodity, especially for Ginebra fans following the Kings’ Game 2 win.

“I hope they can find a seat or standing room only, whatever,” Cone added.

Game 1 saw the Mall of Asia Arena host 11,802 fans last Friday before a 12,925-strong crowd filled the venue for Game 2 to see the two teams that also figured in a title showdown in the season-opening Governors’ Cup duke it out.

The growing number of live audiences is a welcome development for the league that saw lean attendance in several eliminations and playoff games.

“I’m excited that people are excited to watch this series. This is what we play for, and we play for them (fans),” Cone said.

“So, if there’s gonna be 50,000 outside who want to get in, I’ll be happy about that too.”

The PBA holds the record for the biggest crowd in a local league when 54,589 fans trooped to the sprawling Philippine Arena in Bulacan when Ginebra beat guest team Bay Area Dragons in Game 7 of the 2022-2023 Commissioner’s Cup — the last time the Kings won a title.

Cone hopes Game 3 will be as thrilling if not more exciting than the first two matches as a treat for the two franchises’ ever-loyal fans.

“We’ll do what we can in Philsports and then Antipolo (for Game 4) afterward,” he said.

Game 5 and if needed Games 6 and 7 will be played at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“It doesn’t matter what venue we’re gonna play, it’s still a championship game and we’re gonna bring it,” Cone vowed.