Ynares Center
The Ynares Center is an indoor arena located along the Circumferential Road in Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines. The facility, which has a seating capacity of 7,400, is managed by the Provincial Government of Rizal. The arena is named after the Ynares family of Rizal, whose members had served as governors since 1992. It was also the site of the 100th Foundation Anniversary Celebration of the province.
Location | Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines |
---|---|
Parking | 440 slots |
Owner | Rizal Provincial Government |
Operator | Rizal Provincial Government |
Capacity | 7,400 |
Construction | |
Broke ground | 1990s |
Opened | 2000 |
Construction cost | ₱350 million |
Tenants | |
PBA (2001–present) Pasig-Rizal Pirates (MBA) (2000) UAAP (2018–present) Rizal Golden Coolers (MPBL) (2018–present) PSL (2019) Rizal Golden Coolers (MPVA) (2023–present) |
The arena, built at a cost of ₱350 million, is situated in a 50,000 square meters (540,000 sq ft) lot. The arena comes with an air conditioning system with 13 multi-purpose rooms, which includes the Offices of the Governor and Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Administration and Engineering and Equipment Room. Its also host a parking area with 440 slots.[1]
It has hosted Philippine Basketball Association games since 2000, and serves as the home arena of the Rizal Golden Coolers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League and its volleyball counterpart in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association. It was also the home arena of the Pasig-Rizal Pirates of the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association in 2000.[2]
It has also hosted international events, such as the 2011 FIBA Asia Champions Cup.[3] In late 2000, Manny Pacquiao won in 10 rounds against Nedal Hussein in an international title bout prior to his first match in the United States a few months later.[4]
In June 2000, as part of the Jubilee Year celebration of the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Antipolo offered Mass at the center with Cardinal Jaime Sin, Archbishop of Manila, and Archbishop Antonio Franco, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, who was then making a pastoral visit to the diocese. Mass was again offered at the center in 2005 to celebrate the National Eucharistic and Marian Year. The center was also the venue for a congress held in celebration of the same season. Former president Corazon Aquino and Bishop Teodoro Bacani were the main speakers. In 2007, the Diocese of Antipolo held a well-attended concert of its priests in the center. On December 5, 2008, the center was again the venue of a Mass and program celebrating the 25th anniversary of the canonical erection of the Diocese of Antipolo.
Ynares Center is also the home of school pageants and school celebrations. Every year, Our Lady of Fatima University holds its founding anniversary there. Every year, schools in Antipolo compete in the Drum and Lyre Competition held usually in December.
Aside from hosting basketball, boxing, volleyball and other indoor sports, the Ynares Center is also used for concerts and other crowd gatherings.[1]
References
- "Ynares Center". Rizal Provincial Government Official Website. Rizal Provincial Government. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
- "Vengeance in their eyes". Philstar.com. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- Leyba, Olmin. "Phl hosts Fiba Asia Champs Cup meet". Philstar.com. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- Henson, Joaquin M. "Sporting Chance - Hussein cries foul". Philstar.com. Retrieved December 22, 2022.