Legends back at Araneta

The Big Dome will once again welcome the PBA stars of yesteryear as veterans from Alaska, San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and Purefoods come together to play in a doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 17.

Excite Events CEO and PBA head of marketing Gelo Serrano disclosed the other day that the two Legends games were originally slated for last October but moved to next week with UNTV as coveror. The beneficiary is the Samahan Ng Mga Dating Propesyonal na Basketbolita ng Pilipinas Foundation which raises funds for the future needs of retired players and their dependents. 

Atoy Co is the UNTV commissioner and had a hand in linking the retired veterans with the network. UNTV is primarily into news, rescue and public service. It was founded by Atom Henares in 2001 and reaches out to a nationwide audience via radio and TV. Every year, UNTV stages a basketball tournament involving government offices. To make the Araneta twinbill happen, the rumor is UNTV donated P3 Million to the Legends Foundation.

The special attraction is dubbed “Return of the Rivals” with Grand Slammers San Miguel Beer and Alaska figuring in the first match then Ginebra and Purefoods reviving their Manila Clasico showdown in the second. Coaching Alaska will be Joel Banal assisted by Aric del Rosario while Pilo Pumaren – father of Derick, Franz and Dindo – will call the shots for San Miguel with Jong Uichico as assistant. PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez will be the Purefoods coach with Ed Cordero as assistant. Philip Cesar was tapped to pilot Ginebra on condition that Robert Jaworski isn’t available.  

The Alaska lineup consists of Jojo Lastimosa, Roehl Gomez, Rodney Santos, Willie Miller, Eddie Laure, Johnny Abarrientos, Bong Hawkins, Kenneth Duremdes, Jeff Cariaso, Ervin Sotto, Poch Juinio, Bogs Adornado, Tony de la Cruz and John Ferriols.

Making up the San Miguel pool are Denok Miranda, Nic Belasco, Elmer Reyes, Ato Agustin, Dondon Hontiveros, Allan Caidic, Alvin Teng, Danny Ildefonso, Nelson Asaytono, Biboy Ravanes, Benjie Paras, Olsen Racela, Art de la Cruz, Arnold Gamboa, Bong Alvarez, Freddie Abuda, Danny Seigle and Chris Calaguio. The Purefoods team is composed of Bong Ravena, Bonel Balingit, Paul Artadi, Ronnie Magsanoc, Tonyboy Espinosa, Al Solis, Dindo Pumaren, Glen Capacio, Roger Yap, Alvin Patrimonio, Joey Sta. Maria, Peter Naron, Jerry Codinera, Richard Yee and Totoy Marquez.

Finally, the Ginebra cast lists Bal David, Noli Locsin, Bennet Palad, Leo Isaac, J. V. Gayoso, Vince Hizon, Marlou Aquino, JayJay Helterbrand, Joey Loyzaga, Benny Cheng, Rudy Distrito, Wilmer Ong, Romy Mamaril, Pido Jarencio, E. J. Feihl and Bobby Jose.

The games will be played a day after Gilas arrives in Doha from Manila and Andray Blatche flies in from China on Feb. 16. There will be no PBA games scheduled during the break for the FIBA Asia/Pacific World Cup Qualifiers. The Philippines plays Qatar in Doha on Feb. 21 and Kazakhstan in Astana on Feb. 24. 

Meanwhile, a rotating roster of PBA Legends often plays goodwill games against local teams in cities around the country. The Legends are also popular abroad with Filipino communities hosting the veterans in exhibition games in the US, Canada, Guam, the UK, Wales, Italy and other countries. They’re often invited to appear in town fiestas and exhibitions in provinces. The Legends aren’t only earning in retirement but also giving back to the millions of Filipino fans who’ve shown unflinching support and loyalty through the years.