Tejada is now able to sit up and stand on his own. He still can’t walk but doctors are optimistic it’s just a matter of time before he takes his first step since crashing to the floor and fracturing his vertebrae in a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) game last May.
Tejada will be undergoing therapy at home instead of the Santa Clara hospital where he was confined for over a month. His rehabilitation regimen consists of three sessions a day of two hours each with physical and occupational therapists.
When Tejada turned 26 at the stroke of midnight last Saturday, his friends were gathered at the Prince of Jaipur in the Fort to celebrate the kickoff of a soon-to-be-launched foundation called Step By Step ET 33.
Former pro Rob Johnson called Tejada long distance and put him on speakerphone as the Jaipur crowd listened to his every word. Tejada choked as he thanked his friends, fans and loved ones for their support. He said he’s feeling stronger and promised to walk again. Then, everyone sang "Happy Birthday" for Tejada to hear.
It was a fitting cap to the festivities organized by Steak Productions that day.
First in the schedule was the Eugene Tejada Celebrity Benefit at 4 p.m. in the San Juan Arena. Fans were treated to a dunking exhibition, a three-point shootout and an All-Star Game.
Two-time PBA Slam Dunk champion Niño Canaleta staked his reputation as the country’s undisputed Jam King in taking on challengers Kelly Williams and Anthony Washington. One by one, they took off like jet planes from a runway and brought roars from the fans with their spectacular acrobatics.
"There was no clear-cut winner," said Chiqui Lucindo-Flowers who coordinated the event. "But it was agreed upon by most of the PBA players and fans that the dunks for Genie were the best they’ve seen so far."
The three-point shootout was a one-on-one matchup between reigning PBA champion Jimmy Alapag and legendary rifleman Allan (Triggerman) Caidic. The final score settled at 15-14 with Alapag winning by a hairline but if organizers counted the last ball in each rack for two points instead of just one – as is the tradition in this contest – Caidic would’ve won, 20-18. Caidic sank four "money balls" in the cliffhanger.
Then came the All-Star Game.
Actor Dennis Padilla coached the Light Team made up of Washington, Canaleta, Johnny Abarrientos, Alvin Patrimonio, Asi Taulava, James Yap, Don Allado, Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Andy Seigle, Arwind Santos, Jun Limpot and Alapag.
Philippine Basketball League (PBL) All-Star Alex Compton of Cornell University called the shots as playing coach for the Dark Team, sponsored by MyDSL, with comic actor Antonio Aquitania as playing assistant coach. The Dark Team was composed of Williams, Eric Menk, Mac-Mac Cardona, Kerby Raymundo, Danny Seigle, Ali Peek, Caidic, Dorian Peña, Mark Telan, Marc Pingris, Bong Ravena, Compton and Aquitania.
Eight PBA teams were represented in the All-Star Game, sanctioned by the pro league. They were Talk ’N’ Text, San Miguel Beer, Purefoods, Coca-Cola, Air21, Sta. Lucia Realty, Welcoat and Ginebra San Miguel.
The contest turned out to be a "fun" game where players took midcourt shots, showboated and even wrestled each other to the ground. But action turned serious in the second half with the Light Team eventually prevailing in a high-scoring contest, 142-124.
This season’s top two overall draft picks led the scoring parade. Williams shot 27, including 11 in the first period, while Santos banged in 25, including 18 in the second quarter. There were nine players in the Light Team in double figures – Santos, Canaleta (20), Washington (16), Alapag (15), Helterbrand (13), Limpot (12), Taulava (12), Patrimonio (10) and Allado (10). Five players finished in twin digits for Team MyDSL – Williams, Ravena (16), Cardona (16), Pingris (14) and Pena (10).
The celebrities in the audience included K. C. Montero, Cindy Kurleto, Sheree, Legit Misfitz, Sarah Meier, Jackie Forster and Maricar de Mesa.
From the San Juan Arena, the players, fans and friends trooped to Fiamma, a popular bar owned by sportscaster and Ateneo team manager Paolo Trillo on Jupiter Street in Makati. The P200 entrance fee was waived and all bar sales went straight to a fund for Tejada.
At Fiamma, organizers explained the mechanics of bidding for collectors items in an auction to raise funds for Tejada’s treatment. The items for auction include an authentic Team USA No. 6 LeBron James jersey, an autographed Tracy McGrady jersey, an autographed Elton Brand jersey, an autographed Paul Pierce jersey, an autographed Dickey Simpkins jersey, two autographed Vince Carter Nike caps, an authentic sweat suit of Brian Viloria, an autographed Tejada jersey (donated by one of his fans) and memorabilia from Patrimonio, Brandon Cablay, Taulava, Menk, Caidic, Yap, Alapag, Abarrientos, Peek and more.
Flowers said it’s easy to bid – just log on to ebay.ph, create an account, search for eugenetejadaauction and start bidding with a minimum of only P100.
Then the party moved to the Prince of Jaipur and later, to Embassy.
"Donations are still accepted and will be ongoing at UCPB account number 134-144633-8," said Flowers. "Check donations can be made out to Eugene Tejada and deposited in UCPB account number 134-142812-9. For details, donors may call the Step By Step hotline 0921-7552750 or email eugenetejadafundraiser@yahoo.com or log on to the website www.myspace.com/eugenetejadafundraiser.
"The Celebrity Benefit may be over but the movement will keep on going for Eugene and for others. We are looking to start up a foundation called Step By Step ET 33 that will be our avenue for helping others achieve their goals. It’ll be a stepping stone to achieve their dreams."