PBA legends strut wares in Maasin

CEBU, Philippines - Former PBA stars played an exhibition game against the Maasin City selection last Tuesday. The PBA Legends game filled the Maasin City Gymnasium to the rafters as people of the host city and nearby municipalities came in droves to see their idols.

The PBA Legends consist of Alvin Patrimonio, Johnny Abarrientos, Renne Hawkins, Marlou Aquino, Vince Hizon, Nelson Asaytono, Zaldy Realubit, Bonel Balingit, Bal David, Rey Evangelista, Elmer Cabahug and Kenneth Duremdes.  

Flashes of their old forms wowed the audience as the crowd cheered lustily for the hoop stars. Most of them have seen these hardcourt heroes only on television and the rare opportunity to see them live in action enticed the basketball fans that crowded every available space of the city gym. The pro players won easily over the commercial players of Maasin City, but the local players put on a good fight in the first half.  

Even before the game of the Legends had started, tickets were already sold out. And tickets were distributed only on the playdate because the organizers, the Maasin City Sports Council, were worried that the floods in Metro Manila might cause the cancellation of their arrival via Tacloban airport. 

But the PBA Legends were able to reach Maasin City as they struggled to board their plane even if the routes leading to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were flooded. They were fetched by the city bus from Tacloban City.   Cabahug and Balingit arrived from Cebu City on the same day. Evangelista travelled from Ormoc City.  

Patrimonio was the most sought idol for photo ops and autograph signing. He gave me his jersey when the players began throwing their uniforms to the crowd. I also awarded them gold medals with the seal of the City of Maasin for souvenir.  

The game was sponsored by the city government of Maasin in connection with the 12th Charter Day and Fiesta 2012 celebrations. Talk 'N Text was also a major sponsor. Prior to the game of the Legends, the Kaba-Maasin of Las Vegas, an organization of Maasinhons in Las Vegas, Nevada, played an exhibition game with the Maasin City Employees, which the Las Vegas players won by two points. - THE FREEMAN