Sports-oriented party-list gains backing of PBA stars, Olympian

MANILA, Philippines — Once upon a time — during their humble beginnings — both Scottie Thompson and Jayson Castro have had helping hands to guide them and become the PBA stars that they are today.

They came from virtually nothing yet they worked hard and persevered, and with the help of people willing to extend their hands to them, they are now enjoying well-decorated careers.

Now, it’s their turn to give back.

And knowing full well how helping aspiring young athletes could go a long way, Thompson, Castro and Filipino-Ivorian Olympian Maxine Esteban have found an ally in 1Pacman Party-list in their bid of lending support to potential futures of Philippine sports.

“They're into sports. Alam natin, sa Pilipinas, sobrang need natin ng support sa sports, not just basketball, not just the Gilas but all kinds of sports na talagang tutulungan natin para umunlad,” Thompson said of 1Pacman, which led by Capita1 co-owner and party-list first nominee Milka Romero.

The Barangay Ginebra guard, like 1Pacman, has advocated helping the youth especially in the less privileged areas just like what Esteban did in getting the support of Romero in helping athletes from Olongapo who took part in last year’s Batang Pinoy.

“I think kasama na sa generation natin ngayon, alam naman natin na as long as tumutulong and as long as doing the right way, yung intentions nila maganda para sa sports so truly blessed yung mga athletes na may mga ganun, tumutulong para sa amin,” added the one-time PBA Most Valuable Player.

For Castro’s part, helping and supporting young athletes is an advocacy very close to his heart. For one, he was once at the receiving end of those help and guidance, particularly from incumbent 1Pacman representative Mikee Romero.

“Since first campaign ni Boss Mikee nandon na ako so maganda yung programa nila para sa mga kabataan sa sports. Kung di mo na maitatanong isa rin sila sa tumulong sa akin nung PBL days ko so ‘yun ‘yung give back ko sa kanila kasi sila rin naman yung unang tumulong sa akin,” recalled the TNT playmaker.

Through 1Pacman, Castro is hopeful that the support for Philippine sports would reach even the far-flung barrios of the provinces.

“Maraming mga athlete na mga less privileged na hindi na bibigyan ng mga opportunity na ipakita o i-showcase yung talent nila. So at least nandiyan ‘yung 1Pacman para tulungan sila," added the two-time best point guard in Asia.

Although it is Mikee’s daughter, Milka, now leading the charge for 1Pacman, Castro is confident that they will continue to be a boost to Philippine sports particularly in grassroot and the further empowerment of women in sports.

“Kung makikita mo before, hindi gano'n popular ‘yung women in sports. So ngayon at least yung PVL, volleyball, football, mga ibang sports pa na sa mga women, at least nabibigyan na ng boses, nakikita na and nasa-showcase nila yung talent nila which is malaking bagay yun,” said Castro.

“At least through Congressman Mikee ngayon na si Milka, sana mas maraming patulungan silang matulungan,” he added.

On her part, Esteban said: “It’s really my advocacy kasi kahit naman di ako pinalad na marepresent yung Pilipinas sa Olympics, ipinangako ko talaga sa sarili ko na I want to be relevant in Philippine sports and really to help athletes here in the Philippines.”