Philippines, 19 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


2019 NBA Finals Diaries: Two tickets for $101,000 and a wedge of Tanduay heave


PhilBoxing.com




OAKLAND. Win or lose in these Finals, the Golden State Warriors will move their collective talents next season to San Francisco, leaving behind 47 years worth of memories in a city that embraced this franchise in both good times and bad.

With that thought lurking in my mind during last Saturday's Game 4, I surveyed the Oracle and appreciated it one last time, like a starstruck lover darting that last kiss.

Opened in 1966, per Wikipedia, it is the oldest arena in the league. It has gone through several name changes and one major renovation in 1997. But it will always be remembered as the proud home of the Warriors, who planted the seeds of their dynasty on these hallowed grounds.

The air of finality wafted in the dense air. Fans crowded the official team stores, some taking advantage of the 50 percent discount sale on all jerseys while most were just happy to grab whatever memento they could --- shirts, key chains, mugs,lanyards, etc.



Like all NBA arenas, security was tight as yoga pants. I was wanded with a metal detector upon entrance while my backpack was thoroughly checked and tagged. Canines and armed security were everywhere, including Oakland's finest, a few of whom were toting automatic rifles.



Only NBA-TV and ABC broadcasters were allowed to set shop on the court, but the sidelines were teeming with reporters from different news outlets from all over the world.

Watching the action live on-site were not cheap. According to the Mercury News, the cheapest ticket for Game 4 was valued at $680 at section 207. An extremely wealthy mystery buyer paid $101,015 for two courtside seats, a Finals record, said business reporter Darren Rovell.

BEVERAGE HEAVEN. As I strolled along section 226, I stumbled into the Tanduay Rum Bar and immediately reached for my pockets to buy a shot or two, or three.



I've sipped my share of different rum brands through the years, but Tanduay is the only one that makes me whole. It's the enhanced liquid that I've toasted countless joys with, the reliable go-to drink that eased some of my life's pains.

Unfortunately, the bar was closed when I found this oasis with just three minutes left in the fourth quarter. But the bartender told me a single shot of Tanduay costs $14. If you want to double the pleasure, it's $28.

To illustrate how expensive arena drinks are, consider this --- A 750 ml bottle of Tanduay Asian rum is priced at only $21.99 at Cask Cartel while a 750 ml bottle of Tanduay Silver can be had for $17.99 at Binny's liquor depot. Just saying.

After the Raptors secured Game 4 with a 105-92 victory, a sense of sadness engulfed Oracle, not counting, of course, the two thousand or so Toronto fans who filled the lower bowl chanting and singing songs.

If Game 4 was indeed the last game the Warriors played at Oracle, it was anything but memorable.

They shot just 35 of 78 from the field (44.9 percent) and 8-of-27 from long distance (29.6 percent).
They fell 3-1 and didn't exactly go down in a blaze of glory.

But who knows, with Kevin Durant expected to play in Game 5, the Warriors could force a Game 6 back to Oakland next Friday.

Until then, sayonara, Oracle Arena.

Fans trickle in at Oracle Arena for Game 4. The Tanduay Rum bar is one of the most popular adult drinking spots at the arena. Reporters from all over the world flock to cover these Finals while security is super heavy. (photos Ponciano Melo Jr @ philboxing.com)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Usyk Registers Career-Heaviest Weight as Dubois Looks Ready for Undisputed Rematch at Wembley
    , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • Rodriguez vs. Cafu Unification Clash Set for Frisco, Texas; All Fighters Make Weight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • LOPEZ VS. VARGAS WEIGHTS FROM PECHANGA RESORT CASINO
    , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • “Bambol” Tolentino in Las Vegas: Supporting Filipino Athletes and Pacquiao
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Unstoppable: Team Philippines Storms Into Davis Cup Finals After Qatar Sweep
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Stumble Against Taipei, Look to Regroup vs. Hong Kong
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Fighting for clean sweep
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • WBA No. 2 Heavyweight Contender Michael Hunter Is Ready to Take on World Champion Kubrat Pulev; All Systems Go for Purse Bid Winner Don King
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Weights from Panama City; WBA Women's Interim Superfly Title at Stake
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated prospect Pryce Taylor Working hard to join Brooklyn’s Elite list of top heavyweight boxers
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Justin Goossen-Brown Set to Make DAZN Broadcasting Debut This Friday at Boxlab Promotions’ Night of Champions in Orlando
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Davis Cup Team Sweeps Kuwait to Stay Unbeaten in Group IV
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao Promises Surprise Against Barrios
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • PACQUIAO VS. BARRIOS UNDERCARD MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Rosaupan rules Pasay rapid chess championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Fall to China in Nail-Biter, Slip to 5–2 in Asia Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • The 19th Thousand Island Cup Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on August 3
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao’s Legacy in Motion: PacMan contra El Azteca
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Crush Singapore 13-0, Set Sights on China in Asia Cup Showdown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Laylo, Dableo to play in Baguio Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao Shines in Final Press Conference: Can The Pacman Defeat Father Time and Barrios? (Analysis & Prediction)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • More lucrative fights await Manny Pacquiao
    By Leo Reyes, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Rumors about Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Tapales, Laurente to help Inoue against MJ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • AL BERNSTEIN, CHRISTY MARTIN AND ERIC BOTTJER TO SERVE AS ALL-STAR COMMENTARY TEAM FOR THIS FRIDAY’S ‘LOPEZ VS. VARGAS’ EVENT
    , Thu, 17 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.