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All Time Tips for the Ultimate All Star Games

For the Filipino basketball fan, the Ultimate All Star Weekend is a dream come true. Imagine actually watching basketball idols that are actively playing in the big leagues at the Smart Araneta Coliseum playing against your local basketball idol. It boggles the mind just to think about it. Because of the sheer magnitude of the event, expect the droves to come in once again. Here are some reminders on how NOT to turn your dream game into a nightmare.

1. THE TRAIN IS THE BEST BET. Expect the traffic around the Araneta Center to be heavy and the parking lines long, so it makes a lot of sense to avail of the mass transport system. The Big Dome is located where the MRT and LRT 2 lines converge. After hopping off the train, the coliseum is just a short walk within air-conditioned malls and walkways of Gateway and Farmers Plaza.
   
   
2. DRIVE AND PARK EARLY. If you do decide to take your own vehicle, come early so you can find a place to park. There are five thousand parking spaces at the Araneta Center and most are just within walking distance such as the Gateway Mall Parking, Manhattan Parkway along General Malvar (beside Aurora Tower),  parking areas around Shopwise along Times Square,  beside the Farmers Garden and at the Ali Mall Parking Area. Very soon, there will be about 2000 more parking spaces when the Smart Araneta Coliseum “green” parking facility just beside the coliseum rises.
   
   
3. SCALP THE SCALPERS. Police detail and Araneta security at the Big Dome will be watching for scalpers with an eagle eye. (No pun intended.) Scalping is illegal and punishable by law. You wouldn’t want to see your face on the nighttime news buying from a scalper. Report any scalping activities to the nearest guard or security detail. The organizers deliberately pegged the ticket price to be within the reach of the local basketball fan. If no one buys from scalping, more legit basketball fans get their tickets at the published rates.
   
   
4. DRESS FOR THE GAME.  Despite the breeze from the air conditioning, expect the Big Dome to be heated up by high energy by cheering fans. The lines at the gates will be long so it would be wise to dress light, wear comfortable footwear with just your mobile phone, purse or wallet. Bring just enough cash for that post-game party or mall gimmick.
   
   
5. GORGE BEFORE YOU OGLE. You will need all the energy you can muster to be heard over the din. Make sure you come early enough to nourish yourself before the game. Food and drinks can be found inside the Big Dome, but if you wish for variety, there are several food chains at the nearby malls to satiate your cravings. Just be sure to come in early.
   
   
6. KNOW YOUR GATE BEFOREHAND. Avoid the frustration of queuing for a long time only to find out that you lined up at the wrong gate. Holders of Patron, Lower Box, Upper A and B tickets may enter at the Red Gate (fronting Farmers Plaza) or the Green Gate (near Starbucks). General Admission ticket holders may enter at the Yellow Gate right beside the Ticketnet/Uniprom Office.
   
   
7. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED, PAY AS YOU ENTER.  New sections will be opened on game days. For those who are securing their tickets on the day itself, a first-come, first-served, pay as you enter policy will be enforced. This is to discourage scalpers. No re-entry will be allowed.
   
   
8. POINT AND SHOOT ONLY, PLEASE! DSLRs and video cameras are not allowed at the Big Dome. Leave the professional shooting to the sports fotogs. Just bring your point and shoot cameras and focus on yelling your lungs out.
   
   

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