PBA goes retro to mark 50th anniversary

Nostalgia filled the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) marked its 50th anniversary on Wednesday with a retro-themed game between San Miguel and Meralco.

San Miguel, the only remaining original franchise in the league, sported jerseys that were designed from the 1982 season. Meralco, the reigning Philippine Cup champions and part of the PBA precursor league MICAA, also wore jerseys inspired from the then-Reddy Killowatts' outfit from the 1970's.

San Miguel defeated Meralco, 110-98, in the retro game.

Before the game, people were lining up outside the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum as the league announced that lower box tickets were priced at PHP 50 only. Those born in 1975 would also have free admission, while all in-venue fans would have PBA 50th anniversary shirts.

Former PBA players such as Jimmy Noblezada and Elmer Cabahug also joined in the celebration as they graced the game.

In the retro-themed match, music during the PBA's early days such as 'Boys Don't Cry,' 'Take On Me,' and 'I Melt with You' were also played, while the coliseum announcer also paid homage by doing just simple announcements and announcing only the call and name of the player.

Meralco Bolts consultant Norman Black, who donned the 1982 San Miguel jersey before, said the retro jersey has a special meaning for him.

"It has a special meaning for me because I actually played in those jerseys back in '82 for Tommy Manotoc and we won the Invitational Championship that year," Black said.

"So that definitely brings back a lot of good memories. I scored a lot of points in those jerseys and grabbed a lot of rebounds."

For San Miguel head coach Leo Austria, the Rizal Memorial Coliseum is a special place for him.

"Rizal Memorial is really dear to me that's why when I got here, I know where to go and na-goosebumps ako dahil parang reminiscing. That's why before this game, [I said] I really wanted to win because there is something special in this place," said Austria.

June Mar Fajardo, one of the newest additions to the PBA Greatest Players list, hopes more retro games will happen.

"Nostalgic 'yung tema ngayon kasi napapanood ko 'yung ganung klaseng games sa YouTube, pero masaya kami. Sana may games ulit na retro 'yung [theme]."

Before the retro-themed match, Magnolia defeated Converge, 83-71.

—GMA Integrated News