Asia’s oldest professional basketball league will celebrate its 50th year with a year-long celebration with fans at the center.
Fans and supporters will be at the forefront of the celebrations as the PBA gets ready to celebrate its 50th founding anniversary later this year, with activities lined up as early as the offseason heading into PBA Season 50.
In a press conference where they unveiled the anniversary logo, the PBA also discussed plans that will bring the league closer to its fans everywhere in the Philippines.
“Itong 50th [anniversary] na to, marami kaming gagawin, hindi lang po para sa PBA, kundi para sa mga tao na nagmamahal sa PBA,” said PBA Vice Chairman Alfrancis Chua on Monday.
Signs of the 50th anniversary will be made visible already to fans, with players set to wear patches on their jerseys, even during the short break due to Gilas Pilipinas games slated later this month, PBA legends will also be making rounds everywhere to promote the upcoming activities.
“Halos dalawang taon, ice-celebrate natin itong 50th year. Yung 49th [season], derecho hanggang matapos po ang 50th year ng PBA. Madami pong gagawin. Halos ito pong break natin na dahil po sa Gilas, iikot po yung players natin at saka yung mga legends natin katulad nina Allan Caidic, iikot po sa mga shows ng TV5, Eat Bulaga, Wil 2 Win, sa mga sports shows, at sa ibang mga pwedeng puntahan ng players natin,” said PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial.
But more than promoting the league’s legacy, the anniversary also aims to bring the league even closer to fans with a number of fanbase-centric activities.
Chua discussed the return of former PBA activities like “Home Court” and the campus tour.
“Starting June, ibabalik natin yung visit natin sa iba’t ibang basketball court. Yung susurpresahin, may kasama pa tayong mga superstar, mga legends, na biglang bababa na lang sa isang basketball court at makikilaro sakanila,” said Chua, who also explained that the court they visit will be refurbished.
“Ibabalik [din] natin ang campus tour, yung mga players, like for example, yung mga player na si Scottie Thompson, kung saan yung iskwela niya, pupuntahan po natin yun. Maglalaro dun tayo, papakita natin kung saan, para po naman yung players na ngayon na sikat na satin sa PBA, hindi nila makalimutan kung san sila nanggaling,” he added.
The celebrations will also extend to Visayas and Mindanao, starting with the PBA All-Star Game slated in Davao in May. Mall shows will also be made available with select players and legends in an attempt to help supporters connect more with the players.
“Kung ang fans ay nahihirapan na manood, o kahit makasalamuha lamang ang mga players, kami ang magdadala ng PBA sa mga fans,” said PBA Treasurer Atty. Raymond Zorilla.
“Sa pamamagitan ng Mall Tours, para meron tayong meet and greet with the PBA players, para kahit papaano, buong season 50, simula October 2025 hanggang September 2026, may pagkakataon ang mga PBA fans na makasama, makamayan, o makapag-selfie, makapag-picture sa mga PBA players,” he added.
Of course, the anniversary will also be about the players, with a grand reunion among former PBA players slated in the PBA’s opening for the 50th season.
“Yun po yung big day natin. Nandun po lahat ng mga players na iniimbita kaya kailangan namin ang tulong niyo. Halos sana makaabot tayo ng 400-500 players na pagsasama samahin natin sila,” said Commissioner Marcial, who also set up a hotline to connect with former PBA players.
“Makikita niyo rin yung [dating players na] nasa abroad, sana makarating. Humingi ako ng tulong sa legends, kela Atoy Co, kela Mon Fernandez, kela Allan Caidic, yung grupo nila na tulungan tayo at kung papano kami iikot,” he added.
With a lot in store, fans can expect a lot of opportunities to interact with Asia’s oldest professional hoops league both on the hard court and off of it.
First, though, the league will resume its playoff action in the Commissioner’s Cup by the end of the month right after the weeks-long break to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.