Legends converge for a good cause

Six PBA legends visited the pro league office in Libis the other day to discuss ways of assisting former players who are in need of medical treatment or attention. PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, technical director Eric Castro and technical supervisor Joey Guanio sat down with Atoy Co, Philip Cezar, Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, Ed Cordero and Art de la Cruz to figure out a plan of action.

It was UNTV’s Daniel Razon who conceived the idea of establishing a foundation to benefit former PBA players. Razon has been a PBA enthusiast for decades, dating back to the Crispa-Toyota era and his heart sank when one of his idols Samboy Lim suffered a cardiac arrest during a basketball game. He broached the concept to Co who happens to be the commissioner of the UNTV Cup. From Razon’s idea emerged the Samahan Ng Dating Propesyonal na Basketbolista ng Pilipinas. Co assumed the presidency of the organization with Cezar as vice president, Cordero as secretary, Caidic as treasurer and Patrimonio, Kenneth Duremdes, Jojo Lastimosa, Pido Jarencio and De la Cruz among the members of the Board. 

The initial set of beneficiaries will be players from 1975 to the 1990s because that was the period when PBA salaries were not as significant as they are now. There may be exceptions on a case-to-case basis. Some of the veterans who are currently struggling with medical issues are Boybits Victoria, Joey Mente and Joy Dionisio.

Marcial encouraged the group to come up with fund-raising projects like a concert, movie premiere, golf tournament or basketball game. In July, the foundation intends to launch a golf event as its initial fund-raiser. UNTV has donated seed money of P1 Million to get the operations moving. The PBA will study how it can support the group.

“At the moment, former players who perform in exhibitions aren’t allowed to use the PBA logo or name so they can’t be called the PBA Legends,” said Marcial. “They may be called only the Legends. But with the PBA’s sanction, they will be able to use the PBA logo and name. The PBA will support initiatives to assist former players, particularly those in need. We can help in firming up sponsors, marketing, TV coverage and production. We can provide referees, uniforms, ballboys, table officials. If things work out, I’ll suggest the formation of a cooperative where former players may be able to borrow money. We can do a Memorandum of Understanding to cover various projects where the foundation and the PBA could be partners.”

A source said some PBA veterans, who are financially deficient, are embarrassed to seek assistance even if they’re in dire need of medical treatment. That could be because there isn’t a clear path for them to take in asking for help. With the foundation, less privileged former players may now bring up their cases to a certified group for attention.

A looming project is a “revival” doubleheader featuring Grand Slam archrivals San Miguel Beer against Alaska and popular adversaries Purefoods and Barangay Ginebra. The plan is to stage the twinbill at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 9 or 16. The games will bring back memories of sellouts back in the day.

The Alaska lineup will include Johnny Abarrientos, Poch Juinio, Bong Hawkins, Roel Gomez, Duremdes, Willie Miller, Rodney Santos, Lastimosa and Jeff Cariaso while the San Miguel team may bring in Olsen Racela, Alvin Teng, Caidic, Danny Seigle, Danny Ildefonso, Ato Agustin, Freddie Abuda, Biboy Ravanes and Franz Pumaren. 

For Purefoods, the players could be Patrimonio, Jerry Codiñera, Dindo Pumaren, Bong Ravena, Boy Cabahug, Al Solis, Rey Evangelista and Glenn Capacio. Barangay Ginebra’s cast will count on Bal David, Noli Locsin, Chito Loyzaga, Vince Hizon, Jayvee Gayoso, Marlou Aquino, Jarencio, E. J. Feihl, Bennet Palad, Benny Cheng, Wilmer Ong and Sonny Jaworski. Coaches could be Tim Cone for Alaska, Norman Black for San Miguel, Ryan Gregorio for Purefoods and Jaworski for Ginebra.