MANILA – Gear up, basketball fans. The National Basketball Association (NBA) games are back on Philippine television starting today.
The NBA, Cignal TV and Smart Communications signed a three-year partnership to bring the 2019-2020 season matches and programming of the world’s biggest caging league to Filipino hoops fans via free-to-air, satellite television and over-the-top streaming.
“The NBA restart is set against a uniquely challenging moment in time for our fans in the Philippines, who are among the most passionate and dedicated supporters of the league,” said NBA Asia managing director Scott Levy.
He added: “We hope to play a role in lifting the spirits of Filipinos by bringing them together through their shared love for the game,” he added.
TV5 will broadcast live NBA “seeding games” every Saturday and Sunday while ONE Sports will show the matches every Monday and Friday.
Selected first and second rounds of matches in the playoffs will also be aired by the two channels while the Conference Finals will be televised in its entirety between the two channels. The Finals, on the other hand, will be broadcasted exclusively on TV5.
Pay TV provider Cignal will also launch NBA TV Philippines, a localized version of NBA TV – the league’s dedicated 24/7 channel – which will feature live games and original programming in high definition. Today, the New Orleans Pelicans versus Utah Jazz match will be shown on NBA TV Philippines at 6:30 a.m. while the rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers will be aired on ONE Sports at 9 a.m.
All games of the NBA restart will be played at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, United States./PN
