CURRENT league leader Talk N’ Text (TNT) Katropa will clash against Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok at 5 p.m. on November 16, at the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) Gym in Davao City.

Organizer Arkiquest chairman Hector Magno bared this during the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at The Annex of SM City Davao, Thursday, October 10.

He said, “We are bringing the two teams that we first brought here in 2014 when the game went into triple overtime. It’s a new boost for basketball fans in Davao after what happened to the Philippines in Fiba, downhearted ta gamay (we were downhearted somehow).”

The past year, he said, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games last year were either held in Digos City or Panabo City. “It’s about time na mag-host ulit tayo ng PBA game dito sa Davao,” he added.

The triple overtime then, according to him, gave them a problem as they have to pay an extra hour rental fee of Usep Gym. Magno, however, said, they are excited to have Dabawenyos get entertained by two of the country’s popular PBA teams.

Logistics head Rameses Tancontian, for his part, said they partnered with ABS-CBN to determine the beneficiary of the event. In the past, he said they’ve built classrooms to indigent students in Barangay Salumay in Marilog District and sponsored indigent students who wanted to take up Architecture. Some of them graduated and also pass the board exam.

Security committee head Alfredo Suarez said, “The game will be very competitive and will be a good opportunity for Dabawenyos to witness it again.”

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, TNT Katropa had five wins and zero loss while Magnolia Hotshots held a 3-1 win-loss card.

Neil Pagcaliwagan, meanwhile, said tickets are pegged at P1,500 (courtside), P1,200 (ringside) and P600 (general admission). Tickets are available at Iconarts GSIS, Iconarts Gaisano Mall of Davao, Helen’s Pawnshop Victoria Plaza, KMS Lighting, Harbour Roadside Kitchen and Solid Ground Construction.

Also joining as guests during the forum were Maryl Piastro and May Yap.

Arkiquest is an association of architects in Davao.