Gilas Pilipinas Honored for Asian Games Gold Medal at PBA Season 48 Opening Ceremony
In a night filled with glitz and glamour at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the opening ceremony of PBA Season 48 celebrated the victorious Gilas Pilipinas Asian Games team and their gold medal triumph. The event took place on Sunday, November 5, and marked the beginning of an exciting new season for the league.
During the ceremony, members of the Gilas Pilipinas team, led by team manager Alfrancis Chua and deputy team manager/PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, were presented with a plaque of commemoration. PBA chairman Ricky Vargas then officially declared the brand new season open.
All the players, except Justin Brownlee, stood on the stage alongside Gilas head coach Tim Cone and his staff, as well as SEA Games gold medalists Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Christian Standhardinger. It was a momentous occasion as the team was recognized for their remarkable achievement.
Before the program commenced, Gilas Pilipinas also participated in a parade around the Big Dome, adding to the festive atmosphere. The parade featured the beautiful muses of each of the 12 PBA teams, who brought an additional charm to the event.
This year’s batch of muses included a lineup of celebrities, influencers, and sports personalities. Singer and actress Julie Anne San Jose represented Magnolia, while actresses Heaven Peralejo, Franki Russell, Yukii Takahashi, and Herlene Budol represented Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel, Phoenix, and Blackwater, respectively.
Other notable muses were Yskaela Yaena Fujimoto for Converge, SEA Games gold medalist Kaizen Dela Cerna for Meralco, and PVL star Vanie Gandler for NLEX. TNT was represented by Atasha Muhlach, NorthPort by Angel Santos, and Mary Jane Encabo and Jennelle Noblezada were muses for undisclosed teams.
To add entertainment to the night, E.A.T hosts Wally Bayola and Jose Manalo entertained the fans, along with fiery dance performances from Chie Filomeno and P-Pop group Alamat.
Overall, the PBA Season 48 opening ceremony served as a memorable tribute to Gilas Pilipinas and their remarkable success in the Asian Games, setting the stage for an exciting new season of basketball action in the Philippines.
