PBA to welcome back fans as games return to Araneta Coliseum

Fans can soon return to stands as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has secured clearance from Quezon City to hold the games at the Araneta Coliseum.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial on Friday said that QC Mayor Joy Belmonte has allowed the league to stage the ongoing 2021 PBA Governors' Cup at the storied playing venue with only vaccinated fans permitted inside.

"We just received the letter from Mayor Joy Belmonte, allowing us to play in Quezon City. By Wednesday, we will stage the games at the Araneta Coliseum with fans," Marcial said in a press conference.

"Fans need to be fully vaccinated and they need to bring with them government I.D. so that they can enter the venue."

Marcial said that, as of now, games starting from December 15 until the 20th are penciled to take place in Araneta as well as the sixth and final leg of PBA 3x3 first conference on December 21 and 22.

The official also said that the double-header Christmas schedule will also likely be held at the Araneta Coliseum.

As for the protocols, Marcial said fans who wish to watch the games need to provide their vaccination cards and a valid I.D. Araneta will also implement a one-seat apart arrangement with only 3,000 to 4,000 seating capacity being eyed.

"Fans need to wear their masks at all times and they can't eat inside the venue," Marcial added. "There will really be a limited capacity because that's the mandate of LGUs but at least, fans can now watch the games live."

—JMB, GMA News