Sports world extends financial, moral support to Filipino Olympian Larriba

MANILA, Philippines – The world, the country and local officials offered kind words, prayers and help in an outpouring of support to Olympian Ian Lariba, who was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

The International Table Tennis Federation has posted a video of the players recently competing in the ongoing World Championships in Dusseldorf, Germany wishing Larriba a fast recovery a day after hearing the shocking news that she was diagnosed with the debilitating disease.

Monetary help, not just moral support, was also extended as early as Tuesday.

The first to answer the call was Philippine Sports Commission William "Butch" Ramirez, who initially donated P150,000 before making it P375,000.

"Yes, we collaborated with La Salle and I have instructed my people to pay the initial bills of Yan Lariba," Ramirez told The STAR Wednesday.

And there will be more coming.

"There is still no fix amount but the initial is P375,000 for her chemo treatment and other hospital bills," said Onel Abrenica, Ramirez's chief of staff.

The Philippine Olympic Committee, for its part, passed the hat during their general assembly at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City and has raised P30,000.

A group from La Salle's Office of Sports Development has also initiated a fund-drive and are selling green shirts with #KayaMoYan (You can do it Yan) printed on it worth P300 each.

For the T-shirt campaign, interested parties may call Camilla Saguin at 0917-5987325 or could offer assistance directly through Mrs. Imelda Lariba, Lariba's mom, through her BDO savings account 870-007-459and UCP savings account 104120046272.

Also, assistance could also be sent through the Advancement and Alumni Relations Office's DLSU U-Share online facility by visiting http://ushare.union-bankph.com/dlsu/ or contact Calanog or Joy Lanting at local 742 at La Salle's Taft campus.

A graduate of BS Management of Financial Institutions at La Salle, Lariba won rookie of the year in Season 74 and Most Valuable Player in Seasons 75, 77 and 78 and UAAP Athlete of the Year in Season 77 and 78 in a total of five seasons where she never lost a single game in the UAAP.