Season 35 theme could be based on Big J career

source: Joel Orellana | businessmirror.com.ph

Former senator and the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) Living Legend Robert Jaworski remains on the priority list of board chairman Lito Alvarez to be the guest of honor in the opening ceremonies of the 35th season, which unreels on October 11 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Burger King team manager told the BusinessMirror on Sunday that Jaworski’s appearance will be discussed with the events groups that are bidding for the rights of the opening ceremonies.

“I will tell the bidders na si coach Sonny [Jaworski] ang kukunin nating guest of honor and from there, malalaman natin ang theme ng 35th season ng PBA,” said Alvarez, who is scheduled to have a marathon meeting on Monday with at least six bidders for the opening ceremonies.

“Alam mo naman ’yang mga ’yan, very creative ang mind pagdating sa pagbuo ng concept but I will make sure to bring up with them na si coach Sonny ang magiging guest of honor ng opening ceremonies natin,” he added.

Last season the league had the theme “PBA Caring for Batang Pinoy” under chairman Joaqui Trillo of Alaska. The league conducted several basketball clinics with kids and went as far as Victorias City in Negros Occidental and Panabo City in Davao during the annual All-Star Game.

“Malaki ang naging contribution ni coach Sonny sa popularity ng PBA and one way of giving it back to him is make him our guest of honor,” said Alvarez.

Before the season opens, the league will enshrine seven individuals in the PBA Hall of Fame on October 9 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City.

The inductees are cage greats Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim, Hector Calma, seven-time Best Import awardee Bobby Parks, Ricky Brown, the late commissioner Jun Bernardino and former chairman Honeyboy Palanca III. Alvarez said the Hall of Fame enshrinement is a good activity to kick off the coming season of the PBA.