A Filipino Viewer’s Guide to the 2018 NBA Finals

Cavs and Warriors, again.

An unprecedented fourth consecutive meeting in the NBA Finals awaits the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. On one side, the Warriors look to seal their status as a modern-day dynasty, while on the other, the Cavaliers attempt to once again even this long-running saga.

For this year, Filipino viewers will have three different options to watch the NBA Finals. Here are the following ways to experience the Finals.

ABS-CBN Sports

Both ABS-CBN Channel 2 and S+A will simultaneously air the NBA Finals live. Viewers on Channel 2 will hear Filipino commentary hosted by Boom Gonzalez, Ronnie Magsanoc and Benjie Paras, while S+A will use English commentary from ESPN in the U.S., anchored by Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Doris Burke.

Much like more recent NBA Finals broadcasts, Channel 2’s Filipino commentators will call the games straight from the ABS-CBN headquarters in Quezon City. In addition, TJ Manotoc will file reports on-site on news regarding the championship series.

Basketball TV and NBA Premium

The NBA Finals will also be delivered live on Basketball TV and NBA Premium, with both channels using English commentary from ESPN. In addition, BTV and NBA Premium will air extensive pre-game, post-game and off-day coverage of the Finals via NBA TV.

Basketball TV and NBA Premium are currently exclusive to Cignal and Cablelink subscribers only. The two channels are also available on digital TV via the EasyTV digibox (P2999 for purchase and P999 for renewal of subscription), but only for Metro Manila residents.

NBA League Pass

Basketball fans on the go can also watch the NBA Finals on their mobile devices via NBA League Pass. NBALP can be accessed via the NBA Game Time App on Google Play or Apple Store.

For more information on NBA League Pass, visit the NBA official website. For a step-by-step guide on subscribing to NBA League Pass, click the following links for Globe, Smart, PLDT and SkyCable subscribers.

If the last three meetings were of any indication, then expect another compelling battle between the Warriors and Cavs. Still, it remains to be seen if LeBron James will be able to sustain his seemingly one-man act against a deeper and stronger Warriors squad that has won two of the first three championship series.

Either way, NBA fans are in for a treat. Good luck.

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2nd Avenue to Cease Broadcast This Thursday; RJTV-29’s Future Still To Be Determined

2nd Avenue will sign off for good this Thursday, leaving the future of RJTV-29 in doubt. (Logo courtesy of Solar Entertainment)

One of Solar Entertainment’s long-running channels will sign off for good.

On Thursday, May 31, 2nd Avenue will officially end its broadcasts following a 12-year run. The channel’s impending departure was expected as 2nd Avenue was not included in the new EasyTV set-top digital TV box that Solar released earlier this month.

So far, no reason was given behind its shutdown, but it is likely that 2nd Avenue became the odd channel out due to redundancy in terms of programming. Some of its shows also air on sister channels ETC and Jack TV, both of which are included in the EasyTV lineup in addition to other foreign entertainment channels.

It also adds plenty of intrigue with regards to the future of RJTV-29, 2nd Avenue’s home channel on free TV. Some have theorized over the fate of said channel, ranging from the return to its original format pre-2nd Avenue to a possible new tie-up with Solar Entertainment.

2nd Avenue was initially launched as a spinoff channel to ETC in late 2005, before it was shortened to its current name a few years later. Starting in 2008, 2nd Avenue became available to free TV when Solar Entertainment and Rajah Broadcasting Network signed a blocktime deal to allow the channel to air on RJTV-29.

Over the years, 2nd Avenue featured a wide array of American and international action, drama, entertainment and suspense programs, some of which were later aired a few hours after its original stateside broadcast. And since the move to RJTV-29, the latter’s own programs such as ‘RJ Sunday Jam’ and ‘Thank God It’s RJ’ were aired as well.

Like its sister Solar channel ETC, 2nd Avenue aired 24/7 on cable, satellite and digital TV. However, its operating hours on analog TV remained limited as it only aired 19 hours per day.

Regardless of what the future holds, viewers should look forward to a new era in RJTV-29’s history no matter how it turns out. As for 2nd Avenue, its run may be over, but its memories remain.

UPDATE: Solar Entertainment officially announced that 2nd Avenue will cease broadcast on Tuesday, June 5, not June 1 as originally posted.