More PBA fund-raising
games in the offing

BY NOLI CORTEZ

THE pro league is willing to bend over backwards to help its own.

Proof is the league’s governors’ readiness to set up more fund-generating events like the first PBA Ateneo vs. La Salle Showdown last Sunday to help augment the Players Educational Trust Fund.

"The Board wants to set up at least two more events for next season," said PBA Executive Director Rickie Santos, who is running the league’s day-to-day operations until Commissioner Sonny Barrios returns from the United States next month.

"P’wedeng La Salle-Ateneo ulit, shows or concerts or iba naman. All those aside from the All-Stars events," he added.

There is certainly an urgent need for such events even though they may interfere with the PBA schedule.

The Trust Fund, reportedly amounting to some P10 million, currently caters to the education needs of the children of around 80 ex-PBA players. Santos said around P3 million is deducted from the fund annually and as much is needed to at least sustain the deposited figure.

The annual All-Star Weekend festivities generate only around P1million.

"Kaya kailangan talaga ang mga P3 million a year para hindi ma-deplete ang Fund," said Santos.

The long and colorful rivalry between La Salle and Ateneo make them the primary choices in such benefit games, Santos pointed out, but other school match-ups also make for potential blockbusters.

"Puwedeng University of Santo Tomas and UE or (San) Beda-Letran," he said.

Around 6,000 alumni and supporters of La Salle and Ateneo trooped to the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday and, with the help of sponsorship led by Yakult and TV revenue, made the event earn close to P2 million net.

The money doled out was well-spent as everybody was treated to a classic that belied its exhibition game status and, perhaps fittingly, ended in a 90-all tie that prompted calls for an immediate rematch.

"The battle for bragging rights between the arch rivals was not resolved. I certainly welcome a rematch between these two teams, more so if it’s for a worthy cause," said PBA board chairman Tony Chua.

La Salle, which won five titles from 1998 to 2003, led by as many as 72-61 on a basket by Welcoat Paints rookie guard Ryan Arana with 10:21 left. But Ateneo was not to be outdone as Enrico Villanueva, Wesley Gonzales and Alaska’s new recruits, LA Tenorio and Larry Fonacier, connived in a 28-16 run capped by Villanueva’s two free throws to take an 89-88 lead with 38.7 seconds to go.

Gonzales’ charity gave the Blue Eagles a 90-88 lead, but newly-acquired Magnolia playmaker Mike Cortez canned two free throws off Tenorio’s foul that leveled the score at 90, only 19.4 seconds to go.

Gonzales then missed a turnaround jumper from the top of the key and ball possession was still being disputed as the final buzzer sounded.

In the end, the two teams joined hands at center court, exchanging high fives and celebrating a well-fought match that served as a warm-up for the PBA Fiesta Cup opening this Saturday with a road game in Panabo, Davao del Norte, pitting Talk N Text against Coca-Cola.