WBGN-TV to broadcast Xplosion playoff game
March 14, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Pittsburgh Xplosion News Release
Pittsburgh, PA. The Pittsburgh Xplosion (18-11) announced today that WBGN-TV, an independent Pittsburgh television station, will broadcast the team's 2nd-round ABA playoff game against the Bellingham Slam (19-14), which will be played this Saturday, March 18 at the Petersen Events Center. The Xplosion also announced the game's official starting time of 7pm. The game will be televised live on WBGN-TV, which also broadcasts Cleveland Cavaliers games.
"For pro basketball fans who can't make it to the Petersen Events Center this Saturday for our team's only home playoff game, this live broadcast on WBGN-TV will introduce many people to the fast-paced action and excitement of Pittsburgh Xplosion basketball as our team drives for the ABA championship," said Xplosion CEO Richard Hersperger.
As the ABA's 6th-ranked team, the Xplosion received a first-round playoff bye. If Pittsburgh defeats Bellingham, the Xplosion will advance to the ABA Great Eight Tournament quarterfinals on Wed, Mar 22 at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY.
The Xplosion's leading player is 6'9" center Armon Gilliam, an ABA All Star, 2006 ABA All Star Game MVP and ABA Player of the Year candidate. Gilliam averaged 23.5 ppg and 8.8 rebounds during the regular season and had 29 points and 13 rebounds in the ABA All Star Game. The Bethel Park resident and UNLV standout was an NBA star for 13 years after being selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 1st round of the 1987 NBA draft.
Bellingham defeated the Tacoma Navigators, 134-116 in a first-round playoff game Sunday night, led by ABA All Star and ABA Player of the Year candidate Caleb Gervin, who scored a career-high 45 points. Gervin, a guard, is the nephew of legendary NBA and ABA star George "Iceman" Gervin. Bellingham is ranked 12th in the ABA.
Xplosion playoff tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster and the Xplosion website, www.pittsburghxplosion.com. Tickets are affordably priced at just $12.50 for most seats at the Petersen Events Center and $25 for VIP reserved seats (the same pricing as the regular season). Half-price tickets for groups of 20 or more can be purchased in advance by calling the Xplosion at 877 410 9900.
The Xplosion must win four consecutive playoff games to claim the ABA championship in its first year as an ABA team. During the season, the Xplosion averaged 119 points per game while giving up 110. Of the team's 11 loses, 5 were to the ABA's #1 ranked team, the Indiana Alley Cats. For more information, visit www.pittsburghxplosion.com or www.abalive.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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American Basketball Association Stories from March 14, 2006
- ABA adds third team to Lone Star State - ABA
- WBGN-TV to broadcast Xplosion playoff game - Pittsburgh Xplosion
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