Donations pour in; charity games up

MANILA, Philippines - PBL chairman Mikee Romero offered a seed fund of P500,000, Smart Sports put in P300,000 and the country’s premier cage leagues hope to do their share by pitting the present and future of Philippine basketball in a one-day charity event Monday for the benefit of victims of typhoon Ondoy.

Powerade Team Pilipinas and Smart Gilas meet in a dream match highlighting an exciting twinbill at the Araneta Coliseum.

A selection from the UAAP and the NCAA goes up against a selection from Liga Pilipinas and the PBL to usher in the event aimed at raising funds for the calamity victims.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, headed by president Manny V. Pangilinan, organizes the event in cooperation with PLDT/Smart Foundation and the Araneta Center which is making the Big Dome available for this endeavor for free.

Backing the event is Islander which is donating goods as its contribution to the cause.

The SBP and its principal stakeholders formally announced the staging of the event in a press conference at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City yesterday morning.

“There is only one word to describe the Philippines today: Devastated. We are all one here to lend help in the best way we can,” said Romero, whose Harbour Centre Foundation then pledged P500,000.

Also attending the press conference were PBA chairman Lito Alvarez, SBP executive director Noli Eala, PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, PBL counterpart Chino Trinidad, Liga’s Butch Antonio, NCAA representative Fr. Mat de Jesus of San Beda, UAAP counterpart Mark Molina of Far Eastern U, PBA Board treasurer Atty. Mamerto Mondragon and SBP treasurer Jay Adalem.

The PBA and Liga are already doing their part, with the proceeds of the match pitting the Coca-Cola Tigers and ML Lhuillier Cebu Niños tomorrow in Cebu City also going to the typhoon victims.

“It’s all about cooperation. No personal differences if the interest of the country is at stake. Lahat tayo magkakapatid sa basketball at hindi ka nananalo o natatalo na mag-isa. May kasama ka,” said Trinidad.

“It’s all about coming together and making a difference,” said Antonio.

It’s just an exhibition match but expect Powerade-RP and Smart Gilas to figure in a battle.

“If you’re there and you’re competing, there’s always the motivation to win in any situation. This is no exception. Even if it’s a charity game, once adrenalin flows, you get to be competitive mentally and you always want to win,” said Powerade-RP coach Yeng Guiao.

“It will be an exhibition game but everybody wants to win, so we will try to do our best to be competitive,” said Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.

Tickets are priced at P200 for Patron, P100 for Lower Box and P50 for Upper A. Those who bring footwear for the typhoon victims can get in to the Upper B and General Admissions sections for free.

Winner of the second game gets the Tony Chua trophy, the former PBA chairman who was among those who perished in the wake of the typhoon’s devastation.