Hundreds run fast break for Laker tickets
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
With or without Kobe Bryant, it appears the Los Angeles Lakers will have no problem attracting fans to their two exhibition games at the Stan Sheriff Center in October.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser
Hundreds of basketball fans — not all of them Lakers faithful — waited in line at the Stan Sheriff Center for hours yesterday to purchase tickets for exhibition games on Oct. 7 and 8 against the Golden State Warriors.
Roger, in foreground, and Wilfred Morikawa waited two hours in line but were pleased with the seats they got for the Los Angeles Lakers' exhibition game in October.
"Pro sports don't come here too often, so you have to take advantage of it," said Glenn Ramos from 'Aiea.
Ramos and his two friends, Jun Guting and Jeff Matro, were the second group in line for tickets. They got there before 2 a.m.
By the time the box office opened at 9 a.m., there were approximately 500 people behind them.
Tickets were on sale for only five hours yesterday, and neither game sold out (each customer could purchase a maximum of eight tickets). The remaining tickets will be sold during normal weekday business hours (8 a.m.-4 p.m.) at the Stan Sheriff Center box office.
Tickets can also be purchased via telephone at 944-BOWS or online at www.etickethawaii.com.
"Hey, this might be Kobe's last game, you never know," Ramos said.
• What: Exhibition games vs. Golden State Warriors • When: Oct. 7, 8 p.m. Oct. 8, 6 p.m. • Where: Stan Sheriff Center • Tickets: $10, $22, $30, $55 and $75 (military and students with ID get $5 off on the $22 and $30 tickets if purchased at the Stan Sheriff Center box office). Available 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Stan Sheriff Center box office, or by calling 944-BOWS, or online at www.etickethawaii.com.
Bryant, the Lakers' star guard, is facing sexual assault charges in Colorado. He is expected to attend the training camp, although no announcement has been made about his status for the exhibition games.
Los Angeles Lakers in Hawai'i
The Lakers will begin training camp on the UH-Manoa campus on Sept. 30.
"What's going on with Kobe is one thing," said Sam Myrick of Palolo. "I'm here because I want to see the games. Here in Hawai'i, you don't get a chance to see NBA games. I'm not that much of a Lakers fan, but I want to go just to watch an NBA game."
Myrick was one of the late arrivals yesterday — he got there promptly at 9 a.m.
"I'm very surprised at how many people are here," he said from the back of the line.
It didn't help that he first went to the Blaisdell Center box office before figuring out he was in the wrong place.
"I knew something was wrong when I was the only guy there," he said. "Then I drove over here and saw the line ... but I'm staying. It's going to be worth it."
Ramos and his friends got kicked out twice by UH security guards before they were allowed to set up their beach chairs around 4 a.m.
By then, Al Arocha had also arrived and took over the No. 1 spot in line.
"The last time (the Lakers) came, I got here around 5 in the morning and was fourth in line," Arocha said. "So this time I wanted to come really early."
And he's not even a fan of the Lakers.
"Actually, my team is Sacramento," he said. "I don't really like the Lakers. I'll probably be cheering for Golden State."
