In celebration of its golden anniversary, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is lowering its ticket prices in certain sections of the Rizal Memorial Coliseum during the Philippine Cup games on 9 April.

The league announced fans can avail seats at the lower box for only P50 and P30 for the general admission section in commemoration of its 50th year that falls exactly on the same date.

Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league opened on 9 April 1975 with a double header featuring pioneer teams Mariwasa Noritake versus Concepcion Carrier, and Toyota against U/Tex in the main game.

For the Wednesday twinbill, the games will have Magnolia facing Converge and the rematch between defending champion Meralco against San Miguel.

The Bolts-Beermen tussle marks the first time the two teams will meet in the Season 49 All-Filipino conference since Meralco upset San Miguel in six games last year to win its first ever PBA championship.

Adding nostalgia to the game is the plan to have both teams wear their respective retro jerseys.

Both San Miguel and Meralco played against each other in the old Manila Industrial Commercial Athletic Association during the pre-PBA days.

The Beermen later took their acts in Asia’s oldest pro league as one of the pioneer teams. Meralco entered the league later in 2010.

The PBA’s 50th season, however, won’t open until October this year.