PBA Legends in LA

LOS ANGELES — Recently, former stars of the PBA got together for "PBA Legends At Iba Pa," a day of reunion games, autograph signing, courtside activities and entertainment involving retired PBA players who have left the Philippines. The event was held in Carson, California, home to some 18,000 Filipinos.

Proceeds of the event will go to the Rudy Distrito Legal Fund. PBA’s "The Destroyer" is in jail in Nevada, awaiting trial for murder. His family is trying to raise $50,000 to pay his legal counsel and another $50,000 for bail.

"It’s so overwhelming for me as a daughter. I grew up watching them play. I didn’t realize how important it is to other people though. Right now, I just feel like, growing up here in the US, it’s nice to see that a lot of Filipinos get together in this kind of event trying to benefit someone, like my dad. It’s really nice to see everybody come out and support us," said Sweet, Distrito’s eldest daughter.

Most of the players paid for their own travel arrangements and accommodations coming from the different parts of the United States to stay in Carson for a few days, to take part in the event. Dennis Abatuan, even came from London.

"We’re happy seeing each other, it’s worth the trip," he said in Filipino in an interview after the games.

It was one game where victory and defeat did not matter. Win or lose, all of the players who came out that day had definitely won a perfect three pointer – they were able to help a friend in need; they were able to reunite with old teammates, rivals and even fans; and they were able to play the game that they love so much.

Here are some of their messages to their fans:

"To my kababayans, we thank the United States for being home for so many of the Filipinos. But it’s also important to realize that we are functional individuals. We do our best, given the opportunity. We have people in so many high places. So let’s keep on thinking that we are as good as any other human race, most especially if we do our share individually and we work together as Filipinos," said former Sen. Robert "Sonny" Jaworski who is scheduled to fly back to Manila in a couple of months.

"Hi to all the fans of the PBA, hope you’ll watch the PBA’s new season," said Bal David who has been staying in Burbank, California for the rehabilitation of his injured knee. His contract has already ended but he said he hopes to go back to Manila (and hopefully to the PBA) after he recovers from his injury.

"We miss the fans a lot. When we hear them cheer it really fires us up. So to the Ginebra fans: How are you? Hope you’re all doing well. And to the PBA fans, continue supporting the PBA," said former Ginebra player Macky de Joya who is now based in Cerritos, California, and is two years shy of finishing his course in Medical Technology.

"We all miss you there in the Philippines. Without your support, I would not be able to come and succeed here," said Abe King, who recently moved to Washington State from Orange County, California, in Filipino. He added that he misses his old life, but at the same time, he doesn’t wish for it anymore. "I really missed that kind of lifestyle — well-known and well-loved. But it’s a different thing now, I’m leading a quiet life here."

Rino Salazar also wants to thank the fans who supported him throughout his career: "I really wanted to thank all of you, because without your support, we would not be where we are now, especially the sports media which played a big part in our lives."

"To all the PBA fans out there, we’re all doing well here," said former Crispa Redmanizer Yoyoy Villamin who now lives in New York. He’s been there for seven months now after moving from Tennessee where he lived for four years, working as a restaurant manager and server.

Dennis Abatuan would also like to assure his fans that he is doing fine living in London with his family. They’ve been there for nine years and according to him, his only problem is that his daughters don’t know how to speak Tagalog anymore. Karen (19), Katherine (16), and Katrina (14) can understand Dennis when their father speaks to them in Tagalog. But they can only reply in English.

For a time, Abatuan worked as a pediatric aid to help his wife who is a pediatrician. But he started to have problems with his right eye. An operation damaged the "sixth nerve" on his right eye, which affected its lateral movement. Now, whenever he uses both eyes, he sees everything in double. So the former PBA star has to wear glasses all the time to correct this. He also had to stop working.

Nonetheless, Abatuan is still very active, even going back to Manila at least once a year to tend to his farm where he breeds fighting cocks. After the reunion games in Carson, he flew to Oklahoma to buy stocks for his business.

"I’m okay and we’re happy here," he said.

Naning Valenciano, who played for Alaska, Purefoods, Pepsi and Sta. Lucia in the PBA and is now based in Los Angeles, called on the Filipino basketball fans to keep supporting the PBA. "To all the PBA fans, continue supporting the league."

Former Ginebra player Peter Jun Aguilar also did the same and had an additional message for everyone: "Always pray and continue supporting basketball. Whatever happens there, we should all be together."

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