Araneta Coliseum, UAAP release statements regarding scalping claims

Smart-Araneta Coliseum management has suspended an employee after a photo went viral on Facebook, allegedly depicting the aforementioned employee giving UAAP Finals game two tickets to a scalper.

The University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers fan who originally posted the collage of pictures on Facebook recounted his first-hand experience, writing:

"Grabehan lang to. Yung naka-blue, scalper, yung naka white/pink, manager ng Araneta. After magannounce sa mga taong nakapila na wala nang kahit anong ticket, pumasok yung scalper sa loob ng ticket booth, bumili ng sobrang daming tickets then nagoffer agad sa mga tao bragging he has 25 pieces of patron tickets for 2500 each. I'm not against scalpers pero sana hindi sila yung priority na mabigyan. At least makipagcompete naman sila sa mga nakapila for tickets. Sigh."

In a post on their official Facebook page, Araneta Coliseum confirmed that the employee in question has been placed under preventive suspension:

"The staff in question has already been placed under preventive suspension pending investigation of this incident.

We are also working closely with PNP Station 7 to go after the scalpers and to deploy more operatives in succeeding events at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to intensify the drive against scalping.

Scalping is a crime in Quezon City and we fully support the drive against it."

The UAAP meanwhile released a statement through Secretary-Treasurer Malou Isip, saying:

"The UAAP denounces the overpricing of tickets to Game Two of the UST-De La Salle championshiop [sic] showdown and fans are advised not to deal with scalpers. But fans should also realize Araneta Coliseum’s capacity—not everyone could enter the venue. Our (UAAP) 80 percent ticket allotment were already divided and distributed to UST and De La Salle. Araneta Coliseum holds the remaining 20 percent of the tickets to be sold to the public at their outlets."

The news comes after Cubao police have tightened security in the playing venue, hoping to curb scalping activities.

In game one, UST patrons who bought tickets from scalpers admitted paying Php 3,500 for patron seats behind the basket. Game two of the championship series will still be played at the Araneta Coliseum, on Saturday, but if the De La Salle University Green Archers force a game three, the winner-take-all match will be at the Mall of Asia Arena. - AMD, GMA News