Athletes, celebs play for a cause

MANILA, Philippines - The tragedy wrought by typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas has brought athletes and celebrities together to raise funds and collect relief goods for victims through an event called “All Stars All Out Para Sa Pinas” featuring a benefit basketball game at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Monday.

Gelo Serrano of Excite and Infinite Ideas said yesterday the 7 p.m. show will start off with fun activities and an entertainment program for fans. The highlight is a basketball game with Barangay Ginebra guard L. A. Tenorio and San Mig Coffee assistant coach Olsen Racela on opposite sides as playing coaches.

Tenorio will spearhead the White Team made up of Vhong Navarro, Billy Crawford, Zanjoe Marudo, Rayver Cruz, Jayson Abalos, Jhong Hilario, Aga Muhlach, Eruption and Ginebra teammates Japeth Aguilar and Jay-R Reyes. Racela will lead the Red Team composed of Jomari Yllana, Rico Blanco, John Prats, Bayani Agbayani, San Mig Coffee assistant coaches Johnny Abarrientos and Jeff Cariaso, PBA legend Alvin Patrimonio, Petron star Arwind (Spiderman) Santos, Meralco hotshot Gary David and Air 21 center Asi Taulava.

The PBA is backing up the project 100 percent with commissioner Chito Salud giving the go-signal for the league’s participation. PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial said the legends, coaches, players, referees and table officials are locking arms in the charity effort and donating their services.

The newly formed group The A-Team is staging the event in coordination with the Rizal Provincial Government and Excite Cares, the corporate social responsibility division of Serrano’s brand engagement agency. The A-Team stands for “Athletes and Artists Team Up For Emergency Action Mobilization.” Gates will open at 6 p.m. with tickets at P300 and P500. Serrano said all proceeds will be brought directly by The A-Team to Yolanda victims.

“Everyone’s pitching in,” said Serrano whose outfit has organized events over the last 12 years, including sports projects like the 2012 and 2013 Milo Marathon elimination and finals, the UPMG badminton tournament, the PBA opening for Smart with Manny Pacquiao and the Z Cup golf invitationals. “Showbiz celebrities are postponing or cancelling appearances, taping and performances to make sure they’re available for our event. This will not be televised so we’re inviting fans to come out and join in. We’re doing this for a cause. We’ve got a lot of surprises for fans. A very popular showbiz star has pledged to participate and even play in the charity game but we’ll keep his identity a secret for the moment. It’s our biggest sports event ever and this is only the start of more to come.”

Serrano said the original plan was to stage a benefit basketball game for the earthquake victims in Bohol. “While we were planning an event for Bohol, Yolanda came along,” he said. “Jayson, Vhong, Billy and I are very close to L. A. and our barkada thought of this project. Then, we got in touch with our good friend Willy. We also reached out to (Antipolo Mayor) Jun-Jun Ynares who is letting us use the Ynares Sports Arena for free. It was difficult to lock down a schedule at the Arena because of solid bookings of the PBA D-League and Volleyball League. But Mayor Jun-Jun found a spot for us.”

Serrano declined to estimate a target for the project. “I expect to raise quite a bit because the celebrities and athletes are contributing in a big way,” he said. “What we generate from ticket sales will go completely to the victims. We’re calling on companies, social groups and civic organizations to participate by donating to this cause. This fund-raiser is open to everyone, let’s all join in.” Fans may call 0917-5307332 and 0999-8852690 for ticket details.   

At least two other sports projects are being lined up for the benefit of Yolanda victims. Flying V chief executive officer Raffy Villavicencio said a showdown between the UAAP and NCAA senior men’s champions will be held to raise funds at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Dec. 7. La Salle and San Beda will tangle in a 12 noon duel to be aired on TV5.

“We’ve gotten the okay from both schools involved,” said Villavicencio. “We coursed our request through commissioner Ato Badolato and La Salle president Br. Ricky Laguda. We’re excited to watch this game between our two collegiate champions. We expect a full house to support our drive for Yolanda victims. We saw the heart of both La Salle and San Beda in the UAAP and NCAA finals. They came back from deficits to win Game 3.  Now, they’re up against each other – it will be the showdown of showdowns.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine Squash Academy (PSA) is doing its share in raising funds for typhoon victims. PSA executive Vince Abad Santos said the target is to raise at least P200,000 through a four-team squash tournament at the Makati Sports Club on Nov. 30. Hostilities begin at 10 a.m.

“We’re calling our event ‘Unsquashable Leyte and Samar’ to focus on the strong spirit of our people,” said Abad Santos. “We, in the squash community, are going all out to support the victims. We join the nation in the effort to uplift the lives of those affected by the typhoon. We expect 24 to 40 players to sign up for the tournament. Proceeds will be coursed through Caritas.” Some of the early-bird squashers who confirmed their participation are Bobby Bachmann, Joey Mabilangan and Guillermo Aponte.