PBA stages Powerade charity run

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Basketball Association’s superstars will lead some 1,500 participants in the “PBA Powerade Run for a Cause,” a benefit run for children suffering from cancer, on July 31 at the Mall of Asia.

PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios said the board has mandated a must-attendance for the league’s cagers in the event that aims to raise funds for patients at the Cancer and Hematology Center of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

“We want to put to good use the marquee advantage of the PBA players in helping cancer patients,” Barrios said in a press conference also attended by Dr. Ma Cecilia Cruz of PCMC, Teajae Sonza, Powerade product manager, Katelin Poblador, Coke group media relations specialist, Judith Staple of L Time Studio and Tru Gears Marketing as well as patients Jheuxxe Almirez and Irish de Quiroz.

He added that all fines collected by the league will also go to the Center, which will use it to acquire equipment and beddings and for the children’s chemotherapy sessions.

Races will be held in 10K, 5K and 3K events with the top male and female winners receiving P7,000, P5,000, and P3,000, respectively, plus timepieces. All finishers will get shirt, medals and loot bags, according to organizers.