PBA legends hold benefit game Friday

MANILA, Philippines - The former stars of Alaska Milk, Purefoods and Barangay Ginebra team up with the current Hotshots and Kings stalwarts in a special benefit game at Friday night at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Jojo Lastimosa, Johnny Abarrientos, Bong Hawkins, Alvin Patrimonio and Poch Juinio play for the Star Hotshots team that goes up against a Ginebra squad that will feature Marlou Aquino, Allan Caidic, Noli Locsin, Vince Hizon and EJ Feihl.

The legends suit up in the 7 p.m. game organized by Lastimosa, Alaska team manager Dickie Bachmann and Ginebra coach Tim Cone for the benefit of Samboy Lim, Roger Yap and Rhoel Gomez’s daughter Rizzini Alexis.

Backed by the PBA and all the PBA ball clubs, the special game aims to raise funds to help augment the needs of Lim, Yap and Gomez. Lim is still in sickbed, Yap lost all his belongings in a fire that gutted his house in Cebu while Gomez, the 2012 Miss Tourism International and former Alaska Milk muse, is battling cancer.

Dubbed Hoops For A Cause, the Star team will also feature James Yap, Marc Pingris, PJ Simon, Mark Barroca, Alex Mallari, Justin Melton and Rafi Reavis against Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa, JJ Helterbrand, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, Chris Ellis, Sol Mercado and Joe Devance.

Lim had served as Ginebra team manager while Yap played his best years in the PBA with Purefoods (Star).

Rizzini Alexis’ father Rhoel, meanwhile, was an Alaska gunner for nine years starting in 1991. He was with Lastimosa, Abarrientos, Hawkins and Juinio in the Alaska Milk team that achieved the grand slam championship in 1996.

Hoops For A Cause tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets. VIP premium ticket is worth P635, special ringside P530, courtside P420, special lower box P220, regular lower box P80/P90 and general admission P55.