PBA joins aid effort for 'Ondoy' victims

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Basketball Association is linking up with government agencies and the private sector in helping the victims of the country’s worst storm-induced deluge in 40 years.

Commissioner Sonny Barrios and the PBA board of governors, led by chairman Lito Alvarez, authorized Sunday the release of food donations for victims of tropical storm “Ondoy” which battered Metro Manila and outlying Luzon provinces last Saturday and triggered massive flashfloods.

PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial said the office of the commissioner will be purchasing bread, canned goods and other food items from cash assistance coming from the 10 member ballclubs, sorting them out and loading the bags into trucks.

Team officials, coaches and players will distribute the goods to residents of Marikina, Pasig, Rizal and Antipolo where scores died and which remain submerged in mud-filled waters.

“We would like to lend a helping hand to the victims of Ondoy by sharing the blessings which the PBA had received over the years from our loyal fans all over the country,” said Barrios.

“Net proceeds from the 35th season inaugurals on Oct. 11 will also go with the seed money which the ballclubs have put up as calamity fund,” he said.

The PBA, Alvarez said, is spearheading the effort as a show of sympathy to those whose loved ones perished in the tragedy.

“Needless to say, this endeavor is made much more personal to us all in the PBA family because of the loss of a colleague, a friend, a brother in Tony Chua,” the Burger King representative said.

Chua, the Barako Bull governor and league chairman two years ago, was swept away by raging flood waters, along with aide Joenare Pedal, while on his way home at the height of the heavy downpour.

Rescuers were able to pull Chua out to safety after he lost his grip while clinging to a tree, but he apparently succumbed to a heart attack a short time later due to fatigue and hypothermia.

“I grieve for those who died, and I share in the anguish of chairman Tony’s family for their irreplaceable loss,” Alvarez said.

“It is in Tony Chua’s memory that the PBA offers whatever it can to help ease the burden of the flood victims.”

The PBA organized a similar relief effort for Pampanga several years ago.

Meanwhile, effective Oct. 1, the PBA’s new trunkline Nos. will be 470-2668 and 470-2669.