Feb. 5 ‘Dream Game’ to aid children with cancer

COLLEGIATE basketball archrivals De La Salle University and Ateneo De Manila University will play in a goodwill match on February 5 at the Araneta Coliseum for the benefit of the Hematology Center of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PMPC) in Quezon City.

“All revenues will go directly to the Cancer Foundation for Kids,” promoter Kerwin Yu told reporters during the Philippine Sports Writing Association’s weekly forum on Tuesday. Yu divulged that they are also planning to hold another similar project featuring former star players from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

The average number of children patients of the PCMC cancer and hematology center is 300 daily.

The Green Archers under coach Franz Pumaren will banner Renren Ritualo, Mac Cardona, Jayvee Casio, Don Allado, Joseph Yeo, Mike Cortez, Rico Maierhofer, Willie Wilson, Brian Ilad, TY Tang, Ryan Arana, Carlo Sharma and Jerwin Gaco.

The Blue Eagles, under coach Norman Black are composed of LA Tenorio, JC Intal, Japeth Aguilar, Enrico Villanueva, Eric Salamat, Larry Fonacier, Doug Kramer, Rich Alvarez, Magnum Membrere, Wesley Gonzales, Noy Baclao, and Rabeh Al-hussaini.

“We are playing for prestige and for the benefit of kids who have cancer,” said Pumaren. “Almost all of my players were under me when I was coaching La Salle while Norman did not coach many of the Ateneo players.”

“We expect a competitive game with a lot of fun. We promise a good show. In fact, you can expect the game to be fun in the first three quarters and then become competitive in the last quarter,” said Black.

The Ateneo vs. La Salle goodwill match, dubbed “Dream Game” will be broadcasted by AKTV in IBC 13 on Sunday.