TV5’s telecast of Game 6 between the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters had all the ingredients of a drama, action and suspense that proved to be a ratings success. The Wednesday game landed in the top 3 of the most-watched primetime show within its timeslot, based on overnight data from Nielsen Media Research.

A total of 20,337 fans also trooped to the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

From 8-11pm, the game averaged close to 4 million viewers or 9.5%AMR and 32.1% audience share in the National Urban TV Audience Measurement (NUTAM). At its peak, the game was watched by nearly 5.4 million viewers or 12.7%AMR and and 53.7% audience share, surpassing the numbers in the Game 7 of the Semifinals series last February 12. It also managed to equal ABS-CBN’s Got to Believe, and surpassed its subsequent shows – The Legal Wife, Aquino & Abunda and The Biggest Loser while also triumphing over GMA’s Rhodora X and 100 Year Legacy.

“It was a very good series for both teams. There was no distinct advantage for either of them. It was amazing to see that Filipinos really love a good basketball game and it really shows in the ratings for this Finals series. This just proves the decision to put the PBA on TV5 was very beneficial, both to the PBA and to TV5,” said Chot Reyes, Head of Sports5.

The exciting Game 6 was highlighted by the walkout of the E-Painters in the second quarter where head coach Yeng Guiao was protesting the officials’ call. The team eventually returned to court and gave the Coffee Mixers a good fight until the end. The scoring explosion of Mixers guard Mark Barroca helped the team notch the 16th PBA championship for Tim Cone.

The PLDT Home DSL PBA Philippine Cup is a presented by Sports5, the sports production group of TV5.#