Best of the best

Carlos (Bobong) Velez, who turned 60 a few days ago, is back on the court and playing the game of his life.

Velez makes his much-awaited comeback as a sports promoter on Dec. 8 when he assembles the finest players ever produced by La Salle and Ateneo to clash in a pair of "Dream Games" at the Araneta Coliseum.

Velez calls it D-Day (for Dream-Day) featuring only "the best of the best" among those who’ve suited up for the Blue Eagles and Green Archers through the years.

It’s no accident that Velez’ comeback project resembles what got him started in the business in 1975 when he organized the first Ateneo-La Salle "Dream Game" and turned sports promotions into an art form.

Velez’ background as both a La Salle and Ateneo alumnus got him the inside track in putting together the D-Day package. His company VDV Sports is combining forces with the Ateneo and La Salle high school classes of ‘81 and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to put on the show, which looks like a guaranteed sell-out.

Since announcing the "Dream Games" a week ago, Velez has been deluged by calls from fans reserving tickets. His associate Sonny Barrios noted that some callers asking to buy in blocks were probably scalpers sensing a box-office hit.

Surely, D-Day is a can’t-miss proposition.

In the stellar game, La Salle and Ateneo will be bannered by eight PBA and four current varsity players each.

Chot Reyes will call the shots for the Eagles whose lineup lists pros Rich Alvarez, Paolo Bugia, Vince Hizon, Larry Fonacier, Wesley Gonzales, Olsen Racela, Rainier Sison and Rico Villanueva and senior cagers Japeth Aguilar, J. C. Intal, Doug Kramer and L. A. Tenorio.

Red Bull’s Yeng Guiao, a La Salle high school graduate, will coach the Archers whose lineup lists pros Don Allado, Mark Cardona, Mike Cortez, Mac Cuan, Jun Limpot, Ren-Ren Ritualo, Mark Telan and Willie Wilson and senior cagers Jun-Jun Cabatu, Rico Maierhofer, Ryan Arana and Joseph Yeo.

The preliminary will be a Legends contest where each team will be bannered by seven players from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Velez said the first quarter will feature only the ‘60s players, the second only the ‘70s, the third only the ‘80s and the fourth, any of the 21.

Olympic Felix Flores will coach the Ateneo legends whose players are Jimmy Alabanza, Chito Afable, Joy Carpio, Joey Campos, Chito Mistades, Tito Panlilio and Boysie Henares from the ‘60s, Jojo Gamboa, Ogie Narvasa, Rene Banzon, Jeric Hechanova, Bambi Sevilla, Mikko Rabat, Jim Tioseco and alternates Steve Watson and Fritz Gaston from the ‘70s and Nonoy Chuatico, Jet Nieto, Gene Afable, Eric Reyes, Danny Francisco, Jojo Lastimosa, Albert Mendoza and alternates Raymond Morales and Jonel Labadan from the ‘80s.

Former La Salle cager and coach Virgil Villavicencio will pilot the Archer legends whose players are Lim Eng Beng, Peter Ley, Tito Sagarbarria, Rep. Monico Puentevella, Alex Malixi, Villavicencio himself, Lope Leonio and alternate Pitloy Mirasol from the ‘60s, Alex Marquez, Aldo Perez, Gabby Liwag, Henry Brodett, Kenneth

Yap, Joel Uichico, Boy Manguera and alternate Elmo Tong from the ‘70s and Juancho Liwag, Gabby Velasco, Wacky Garcia, Franz and Dindo Pumaren, Tonichi Yturri, Dwight Lago and alternate Mac Bautista from the ‘80s.

The timing to stage the "Dream Games" couldn’t be better.

"La Salle wants to show it’s moving forward and this is the best way to get the La Sallian community united again," said Velez. "There’s no better way to come together than to cheer the Archers against their archrivals from Loyola. There is a huge motivation for both schools to win. Ateneo lost to La Salle thrice in the UAAP this season and is looking for payback. La Salle would like to rebound from all the negative publicity surrounding the academically ineligible players in its roster the last two years. We expect a sea of green and blue to flood the Araneta Coliseum on D-Day."

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Velez was recently feted by family, friends and loved ones on his 60th birthday at Mezze in Greenbelt Makati. Over 600 guests jammed both the indoor and outdoor sections of the popular restaurant bar which has gained a solid reputation for its ambiance, food and drinks.

To celebrate the milestones in his life, a selected few presented Velez with six cakes lit up by candles. Elementary and high school classmate Ricky Ysmael, once Velez’ chief of staff at Vintage Enterprises, was first in line to represent his La Salle days. Then, Ateneo classmate Rico Agcaoili trooped in to represent his blue and white days. Lito Anzures, who is Makati Mayor Jojo Binay’s spokesman, was next to represent the Vintage days. Fashion model Tweety de Leon-Gonzalez and actress Carmi Martin walked in to represent the Faces Disco days. Former PBA chairman Honey Boy Palanca, his wife Dang Cecilio and banker Babes Simpao brought in a cake to celebrate Velez’ rebirth as a Christian as part of his Bible Study group. Finally, Velez’ lady love Maricor came in with Mezze’s Dr. Ernie Santos to toast for today.

Lucerne’s Ivan Yao donated a P127,500 Breitling aerospace watch for bidding to raise funds for the LEAD Institute of Sport where Velez sits on the Board of Trustees. Donnie Ramirez presided at the auction which saw Che Singson make the winning bid of P113,000.

Among Velez’ well-wishers that memorable night were sports personalities Freddie Webb, PBA commissioner Noli Eala, Jun Bernardino, Moying Martelino, Norman Black, Chino Trinidad, Cynthia Carreon, Ricky Palou, Vic Valbuena, Beth Celis and son Raymond, Andy Jao, Ed Picson, Sev Sarmenta, Chiqui Roa-Puno, Paolo Trillo, Anthony Suntay and Boyet Sison.

Guests also included former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Gov. Chavit Singson, Rep. Charlie Cojuangco, Manolet Lagdameo, Mike Herlihy, Johnny Velasquez, Sonny Alvarez, Lito Tanjuatco, Jay Gervasio, Choy Cojuangco, Jun-Jun Camcam, Mel Meer, Mike Toledo, Robert Mananquil, Hermie Aquino, Eric Domagas, Tony and Henry Atayde, Maria Morris, Emma Nieto, Bill Yvanovich and Manny Herbosa.

Dancing and toasting went on until the wee hours of the morning.

For Velez, it was like a coming out party. He’s got big plans for sports in the future and the La Salle-Ateneo "Dream Games" on Dec. 8 will launch his return to the game where he belongs.