Stars, celebs team up for 'Sendong' victims

MANILA, Philippines - Fastbreak, a charity basketball game for “Sendong” victims featuring collegiate and movie and TV stars, will be held Friday at the Fil Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

UAAP Rookie of the Year Kiefer Ravena and Smart Gilas skipper Chris Tiu headline a crack roster of athletes and celebrities who have pledged their support to raise funds for the Sendong victims in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.

The event, set at 3 p.m., is expected to draw huge crowd. It also features a three-point shootout between PBA legend Allan Caidic and two-time PBA MVP James Yap at halftime.

“This is our way of helping our kababayans,” Edison Ching of the organizing Ignite Media said. “We are thankful that a lot of players and celebrities are helping out in this one-of-a-kind activity.”

Ravena and Tiu will team up with Rico Blanco, Jhong Hilario, Xian Lim, Jason Abalos, Marco Alcaraz, Champ Lui Pio, Joross Gamboa, Baser Amer, Terrence Romeo and Anton Altamirano in the Red team.

 Making up the White squad are former UAAP MVP RR Garcia, Nico Salva, Gab Valenciano, Jon Hall, Luis Alandy, Joshua Webb, Kevin Alas, Young JV, Dan Sara, Thirdy Ravena, Rafael Melocoton and typhoon-hit Cagayan de Oro natives JP Erram and Sam Marata.

Azkal Jason Sabio will also join the three-point shootout along with Jai Reyes and sports broadcaster Mark Zambrano.

Members of the Philippine Azkals, who will go up against a Spanish side in another charity game on Jan. 7, will also be on hand to support Fastbreak, according to UFL chairman and Kaya FC owner Santi Araneta.

Tickets are pegged at P300 (courtside), P100 (lower box) and P50 (upper box). Courtside tickets have been sold out last week.

Ticket reservations are accepted online through [email protected] and will also be available at Titan outlets in Katipunan, The Fort and Ronac and at the Fil Oil Flying V Arena on game day.

Organizers will also be setting up booths around the venue to accept donations for the Sendong victims.

Other backers of the event are Smart, Meralco, Titan, Gatorade, Nike, The Arena, Junior Chamber International, Discovery Suites and Jamba Juice.