PBA legends organizing events for the aid of ailing colleagues
The Samahan ng mga Dating Propesyonal na Basketbolista ng Pilipinas Foundation, Inc. has put up various programs this year starting with a charity golf tournament to be able to raise funds and provide financial assistance to colleagues with health problems.
SDPBPFI chairman Atoy Co, who played for the fabled Crispa Redmanizers, said that UNTV owner Daniel Razon already gave them R1-million seed money.
“We’ve already spent some of the money by giving help. So we decided to start having programs like this golf event,” said Co during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at the Tapa King-Cubao, Quezon City.
According to Co, player salary during his time was paltry compared to today’s maximum annual income for superstars, making it difficult for most players from that generation to make ends meet.
“We have to think of ways to raise money to help our co-players,” said Co, the PBA 1979 MVP.
Considered as one of the best scorers during his time with Crispa and later with Great Taste.
The golf tournament, dubbed “The 1st PBA Legends Golf Tournament” will be held on July 26 at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club. Registration is ongoing.
Allan Caidic, another former Great Taste legend and one-time San Miguel Beer stalwart, said that aside from golf, a pair of basketball exhibition games will be played in October.
He said that the games will feature former players from SMB and Alaska in the opening game, while alumni of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Purefoods will clash in the second game.