Admit it or not, the popularity of the PBA has waned compared to the times of Jaworski and Arnaiz or the likes of Patrimonio and Codinera when they were treated like superstars and had legions of fans. Now, public adulation is directed towards the good-looking football and rugby Azkal and Volcano players.
This is why they’re intensifying their “Kampihan Na” campaign for the PBA 37 Commissioner’s Cup. Basketball fans are asked to choose sides and be more vocal about the teams and players they support. “Kampihan Na” was their battlecry when the new year started and it proved to be successful as the league earned record-breaking tickets sales at the Big Dome, earning P39 million in gate sales, a 3% increase from the previous year and exceeding their P36m target. With AKTV on IBC-13 as the PBA’s carrier and marketing partner, the country’s premiere basketball league is expected to gain more fans and TV viewers. The Game 7 between Petron and Talk n Text on January 18 got 1.2 million TV viewers.
Renren is Florendo Ritualo Jr. in real life. His dad is also a former PBA player. Born on June 14, 1979, he was named 2002 Rookie of the Year. Mark Cardona was born on Nov. 3, 1980 and first played with De La Salle. Called Capt. Hook, he was the best player of the 2006-07 conference.
Gary David was born on July 13, 1978 and started with Lyceum. He’s 2003’s MVP, married to Jenny David and has two daughters. Mark Caguioa was born on Nov. 19, 1979, a balikbayan from Glendale, USA. Known for his ever-ever changing hairstyles, he was 2001 Rookie of the Year and was once linked to Juliana Palermo.
James Yap of BMeg was born on Feb. 15, 1982 in Escalante, Negros Occ. He was MVP in 2005 and from 2009 to 2012. Best known as Kris Aquino’s ex-hubby. Another popular cager, Arwind Santos of Petron, was also a no show.
