PBA old timers see action in 'Return of the Rivals'
Then on Wednesday, in a meeting in Malacañang among PHISGOC cochairmen, Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Philippine Sports Commission head Butch Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas, with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, held to lessen the impact of the senate decision, nothing positive seemed to have come out.
Meaning not even the Palace, if Ramirez was to be believed, could provide the additional P1.5 billion slashed by the Upper Chamber of Congress from the original P7.5 billion.
“No assurance,” Ramirez told media men emphatically when asked what transpired during then meeting at Malacañang where representatives from the Budget Department and the Public Works and Highways also attended along with POC chair, Rep. Abraham Tolentino.
It was hoped that with the intervention of Malacañang, President Duterte, for that matter, the Senate would have a change of heart and provide organizers of the Games the amount it needs.
“With a 33 percent cut, mahirap. Our estimate to have the level of hosting we want, international standard, security, venues, broadcast, etc., we aready need about P6 billion,” Cayetano bemoaned. “Part of our meeting (with Medialdea) kungpaanomapupunan‘yung P1 billion from the private and public funds.”
The DBM was reportedly been tasked to look where it can source the money to augment the reduced fund- kicked our butts,” Kuzma said. “They came in here and beat us by 30. A lot of us kind of remembered that.”
Atlanta’s Trae Young finished with 25 points and 10 assists, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox had 15 assists and Utah’s Donovan Mitchell added 20 points and nine assists.
Ben Simmons, of the Philadelphia 76ers, led the World team with 28 points. Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen had 21 points and Dallas’s Luka Doncic had 13 points and nine assists for the World Team, whose players came from 10 different nations.
“As you can see, not much defense. Guys just want to get up and play,” World guard Simmons said.
“It’s good to get out there and just get up and down with guys you don’t normally go up and down with.”
Rookie guard Shai Gilgeousof Canada, scored 15 points.
This was the fifth year of the Americans against World format and the World now leads the alltime series 3- 2. RETIRED players of San Miguel Beer, Alaska, Purefoods and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will show they still got the moves in Return of the Rivals of the Philippine Basketball Association today at the Araneta Coliseum.
San Miguel Beer, the 1989 grand slam team will face Alaska, the 1996 grand slam team, in the 4:30 p.m.
Magnolia) will meet its Manila Clasico archival Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the 7 p.m. main event.
Allan Caidic banners the Beermen under coach Pilo Pumaren along with Danny Ildefonso, Olsen Racela, Nic Belasco, Elmer Reyes, Dennis Miranda, Alvin Teng, Freddie Abuda, Danny Seigle, Nelson Asaytono, Dondon Hontiveros, Benjie Paras, Art dela Cruz, Arnold Gamboa, Bong Alvarez and Chris Calaguio.
“More than the rivalry, it’s a good cause to help their fellow players. It’s more of a fund raising event,” said San Miguel Beer assistant coach Jong Uichico, a former SMB head coach.
Alaska will be led by Jojo Lastimosa supported by Roehl Gomez, Rodney Santos, Willie Miller, Eddie Laure, Johnny Abarrientos, Kenneth Duremdes, Jeffrey Cariaso, Ervin Sotto, Bogs Adornado, Tony dela Cruz, Rodney Santos and John Ferriols.
Four-time Most Valuable Player Alvin Patrimonio will lead Purefoods together with Bonel Balingit, Dindo Pumaren, Bong Ravena, Al Solis, Tony Boy Espinosa, Paul Artadi, Ronnie Magsanoc, Peter Naron, Jerry Codiñera, Joey Sta. Maria, Glen Capacio, Roger
“I will be coaching and not playing. I don’t have any practice. We’ll see how’s the condition of the guys. But it’s not important what team will win. What important is how we can help our fellow players,” said Purefoods coach Ramon Fernandez, who is also a Philippine Sports Commission commissioner.
“It’s more of a fund raising event. It’s also good for the fans to see the old players play again.”
Ginebra will parade Noli Locsin, Bal David, Bennet Palad, Vince
Pido Jarencio, EJ Feihl, Wilmer, Ong, Joey Loyzaga, Benny Cheng, Rudy Distrito, Jayvee Gayoso, Bobby Jose and Romulo Mamaril.
Ginebra, the PBA’s most popular team of all-time, is expected to be coached by Robert Sonny “The Living Legend” Jaworski Sr.
members of Samahan ng mga Dating Propesyonal na Basketbolista ng Pilipinas, an association of retired Filipino professional basketball players.