Cuneta Astrodome interior during the basketball game.
Cuneta Astrodome is an indoor sporting arena located in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay, Philippines. It is better known as the home of the Philippine Basketball Association from 1993, when it left the PhilSports Arena, then known as the ULTRA, until 1998. It is also a host to other basketball leagues and political and evangelical gatherings.
The arena is named after Enrique Cuneta, a prominent Pasay city official during the American colonial period.
Despite its name, the Cuneta Astrodome is not a dome-shaped indoor arena, since its exterior is rectangular in shape.
Basketball
- Philippine Basketball Association
Built in 1993, the arena became the PBA's home after the league signed a five-year deal with the Pasay City government. During the first two years, the league played all of its games (except those played in provinces) at the Astrodome before limiting its schedule to Tuesday and Sunday games, as the league played its Friday games at the Araneta Coliseum in 1995.
In 1999, after the agreement expired, the league decided to hold most of its games at the PhilSports Arena and the Araneta Coliseum, its previous home for many years. Although the league hosted a few games at the said venue, it was not used for the duration of the 2000 season. Since 2001, the league has host a decent amount of games at the Astrodome, including several recent PBA championship series games.
It has hosted more than 30 PBA championship series.
Currently, it is an alternate venue for Araneta Coliseum in hosting the PBA games.
- Metropolitan Basketball Association
The Metropolitan Basketball Association held two games at the Astrodome during the 1999 season. The first is between San Juan Knights and the Nueva Ecija Patriots, the other is between Pasig-Rizal Pirates and Davao Eagles..
- Amateur/Collegiate Leagues
Aside from hosting PBA games, it also held several collegiate leagues such as the UAAP, NCAA, WNCAA and the UCAA. The UAAP held the men's senior basketball championships in 1994 and 1999. The NCAA hosted some championship matchups in the mid-90's with the most recent in 2003, when Letran defeated San Sebastian in the third and final game of the series, the only time it was held at the venue during the series.
In 2005 and 2008, the NCAA held a majority of its games at the Astrodome while the UAAP played a series of games in the 2004 and 2007 seasons.
It also hosted the Philippine Basketball League during the mid-90's and during the 2005 PBL Unity Cup Finals between the champion Welcoat Paintmasters and the Montana Jewels.
Other events
Outside of sports, the Cuneta Astrodome also hosted several evangelical and political gatherings, like the political campaign for late-actor and Presidential candidate, Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004 and other functions by the opposition party.
It is also a usual gathering for evangelical events. Some religious organizations who have hosted the event are the Jesus Miracle Crusade, Eli Soriano's Ang Dating Daan and the frequent user of the astrodome is the JESUS CHRIST To God Be The Glory Church International who held their services every Sunday and some major event such as concert, anniversary among others.
The biggest event hosted by far was in 1994, when the World Wrestling Federation held a live event at the said venue featuring a WWF World Championship match between the then-champion Bret Hart and his brother, challenger Owen Hart.
In 1996 The Cranberries also held their "To the faithful departed" tour in the Cuneta Astrodome as well.
In July 19th of 1997 Rage Against The Machine performed live in Cuneta Astrodome. All proceeds after the concert were given for the benefit of the Pasay City General Hospital.
Sharon Cuneta's 1993 concert was also held at the Astrodome. It was dubbed as Cuneta sa Cuneta.
Taekwondo competitions of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games were hosted in the venue.
Also Tau Gamma Phi held its 39th and 42nd Founding Anniversary last October 4, 2007 and October 4, 2010.
Renovation
In 2006, the Astrodome has been refurbished with new seats and a new floor for basketball games as the venue has shown a tremendous sign of deterioration over the past few years. It is the biggest renovation that occurred at the Astrodome as past events resulted in minor refurbishment of the stadium.
The renovated Astrodome debuted on June 30, 2006 during Game six of the 2006 PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series and the Philippines-Lebanon goodwill series in August the same year.
Accommodations
Here is the list of hotels that can be found in the city of Pasay:
- Atrium Hotel Metro Manila - Cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Pasay City
- The Heritage Hotel Manila - Roxas Boulevard corner EDSA, Pasay City
- Mabuhay Manor Pasay City - 2933 Ortigas Street Pasay City
- Copacabana Apartment Hotel - 264 EDSA Extension, Pasay City
- Microtel Mall of Asia Pasay - SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City 1308
- Marriott Hotel Manila - Newport City Complex, Pasay City
- Kabayan Hotel Pasay - 2878 Zamora Street corner EDSA Rotonda
- Networld Hotel Manila - Roxas Boulevard corner Sen. Gil Puyat Ave.
- Remington Hotel - Maxims Tower, Resorts World Manila, Newport Boulevard, Newport City, Pasay Airport Area
- Siayan Travellers Inn - Salem Complex Atayde Street cor. Domestic Road Pasay City, Pasay Airport Area
Getting around the city
LRT-1 (Light Rail Transit) is one of the fastest and cheapest modes of transportation to reach the city of Pasay from Manila.
From Monumento Station, the LRT plies Rizal Avenue Ext. in Caloocan going to the City of Manila all the way up to Pasay City.
Meanwhile, Buses, jeepneys, taxis and tricycles are available within the city. These are the common modes of transportation used around the city as well as traversing to another cities in Metro Manila.