PBA plans to have ‘virtual fans’ in Clark bubble

The PBA plans to have ‘virtual fans’ in the stands once the 2020 Philippine Cup restart gets off the ground in Clark.

While the bubble will be exclusively for league and team personnel, Commissioner Willie Marcial bared that LED screens will be installed so that the presence of fans will be felt inside the Angeles University Foundation gym.

Aside from the visuals, crowd noise will also be audible while the game is in progress even though only essential staff are inside the gym.

“Parang NBA, may LED. Makikita niyo ‘yung mga fans. Maririnig ng mga players ‘yung sigaw ng fans. Merong ilalagay na parang graphics ang television pero ‘yung mga fans, makikita,” said Marcial.

“Magkakaroon kami ng ibang experience kapag pumasok ka dun sa aming website para makapanood ka. Maraming gimmicks at mga prizes habang tumatakbo ang liga. Kasama natin diyan ang TV5 sa ginagawang ‘yan,” he added.

For his part, league chairman Ricky Vargas stressed that they are doing everything possible in order to bring the league back into the consciousness of its followers.

“Ang sabi ng mga team owners, ang sabi ng mga PBA governors, this is about time that we give it back to our fans, whom we think will appreciate it most when we bring back the PBA,” said Vargas.

“That was what was in it for us, and what motivated us. What motivated us was exactly saying, ‘Kailangan na ito, ibalik na natin sa fans, ngayon lalo na sa pandemic,’” he added.