Pinoy athletes auction jerseys to raise funds for frontliners

FILIPINO athletes threw in their full support in the war against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), as they auction their jerseys to raise funds for frontliners.

Mika Reyes and Eya Laure are the latest volleyball players to auction their jerseys via Facebook following the example of Philippine women’s volleyball team setter Jia Morado.

Morado and her boyfriend Miguel de Guzman created the Facebook page Every Little Thing Counts for that purpose.

Reyes and Sta. Lucia Realtors teammates Pam Lastimosa, Bang Pineda, Djanel Cheng and Rubie De Leon donated their 2020 Philippine Super Liga Grand Prix uniforms to the cause.

On the other hand, University of Santo Tomas (UST) spiker Laure and high school teammates Imee Hernandez, Maji Mangulabnan, Det Pepito and Janna Torres put on the auction block the jerseys they donned during their last playing year in the UAAP junior girls’ tournament wherein they reached the finals.

Bids start at P1,200 with an increment of P100. It will close today (April 1) at 12 noon.

Morado, who auctioned off her Ateneo De Manila University jersey, has earned the highest bid of P25,000 so far.

“Bidding something special to me for those who are doing extra special things for us,” said Morado in a Facebook post.

Those do not want to participate in the bidding could still donate as little as P10 to Morado’s GCash account posted on Every Little Thing Counts.

As of Monday night, the amount collected reached P328,790. The money will be used to buy 100 personal protective equipment (PPE) coverall gowns, 1,000 N95 masks and 1,000 surgical gloves for the Philippine General Hospital and Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

Meanwhile, a charitable organization named May Twenty Ako has also started a jersey auction on its Facebook page with several prominent athletes joining.

Alaska Aces forward Vic Manuel donated his jersey during his stint at GlobalPort Batang Pier, volleybelle Sisi Rondina handed out her Petron uniform and 30th Southeast Asian Games soft tennis gold medalist Kevin Mamawal gave his Team Philippines jersey.

Also joining the auction are Rain or Shine’s Javee Mocon, former UST guard Renzo Subido, La Salle setter Michelle Cobb with ex-Lady Spikers Desiree Cheng and Majoy Baron as well as the Gomez De Liaño brothers Juan and Javi of UP.

Bidding began on Monday and will end on April 3, 9 p.m. Bids start at no less than P1,000.