TICKETS for 2019 SEA GAMES to Go On SALE Starting THURSDAY

Sports-wise, the Philippines does not looking quite hot when it comes to international competition. The most recent setback in the presentation of Filipino athletes as plucky powerhouses able to toe the line with the world’s best had been the humiliation of Gilas Pilipinas during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China. The national team’s last-place finished shattered the illusion that “puso”/heart could compensate for height, strength and play-style disadvantages. Now, the country is playing host to the 30^th Southeast Asian Games, where Gilas hopes to exorcise its demons in front of hometown crowds. Speaking of audiences, interested spectators can soon buy SEA Games tickets.

The Philippine Star has it that the 2019 SEA Games organizing committee has designated Thursday to be the start of sales for tickets to watch the primary sub-regional sporting event of Southeast Asia, which starts at the end of next month. Said tickets will be handled and sold by SM Tickets via their official website or ticket outlets locations. For the moment, the only ticket noted to have a price set for purchase tomorrow is for general admission to the Opening Ceremony of the 30^th SEA Games on November 30, which will cost P1,000 each.

Aside from the ceremony, more SEAGames tickets that can be bought from SM Tickets starting October 3 will be for a number of sporting events. Thus far, events named with tickets ready are boxing, men’s football (soccer), billiards, and 3-on-3 half-court basketball. Apparently only general admission tickets will be available at start, although more entry ticket types like premium seating for the events will be released for buying on October 15. The sports mentioned above are only the events which will take place within easy reach of Metro Manila and Clark Zone, with none declared yet for the Subic Zone and other location sports.

The official opening ceremony of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games will take place at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue. Sporting events will take place at designated locations within three main venue “clusters” of Metro Manila, Clark and Subic. Other outlying areas involved in the SEA Games are Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and La Union, the last one being for surfing competition. These games, hosted by the Philippines, have the highest number of individual events in SEA Games history at 56. They include new additions such as the obstacle course (in Muntinlupa) and Esports (San Juan, MM).

The SEA Games will conclude at the athletic stadium of the New Clark City complex, which was especially constructed for hosting several major events of the competition. The Mall of Asia Arena will host all full-court basketball games between participants, where Gilas will hope to bounce back from the brink.

Image courtesy of 2019seagames.com