PBA players use esports to lend a hand in COVID-19 fight
WITH the Philippine Basketball Association season suspended indefinitely because of the ongoing concern on the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), league players are channelling their attention to their other passions to remain preoccupied with some using these as platforms to lend a hand during these uncertain times.
Veteran Magnolia forward Mark Pingris and six-time PBA most valuable player June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel are among those tapping on their passion for esports to help in their own way in the battle locally against COVID -19.
The two are part of the “Lockdown Games” which aims to raise P1 million to help the UP Medical Foundation iin its push to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus in the country.
The Lockdown Games is being done on the lead of esports organization Mineski.
The tournament began on March 24 with Marvel Super War games which were played until March 26.
Mr. Pingris shared that by the end of the Marvel Super War games nearly P400,000 had already been raised.
Next to be played from March 30 to April 2 is Call of Duty. On April 5, DOTA 2 is the tournament to be played.
On April 6, Messrs. Pingris and Fajardo will be competing in the DOTA 2 Showmatch along with fellow PBA players and esports enthusiasts Kiefer Ravena of NLEX and Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra.
The match will be broadcast over MineskiTV beginning at 5 p.m.
Mr. Pingris encouraged the gaming community to support the Lockdown Games and pledge their support to the fund-raising campaign to sustain the fight against COVID -19.
For information on how to support and donate to the Lockdown Games, check out MineskiTV’s Facebook page.