INQUIRER Sports

IT IS JUST A FUND-RAISING GAME FOR the victims of Tropical Storm ?Ondoy,? but pitting the Smart Gilas-National squad against Powerade-Team Pilipinas is definitely a dream matchup.

Made up mostly of collegiate standouts and backstopped by American reinforcement CJ Giles, Smart Gilas will face the Philippine Basketball Association stars of the Powerade-RP team in an exhibition match on Oct. 5 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala said the Smart Gilas-Powerade clash was approved yesterday after an SBP meeting with representatives from the PBA, Philippine Basketball League, Liga Pilipinas, UAAP and the NCAA.

Eala said the leagues agreed to join hands for the charity game dubbed ?Pinoy Basketbol Kakampi Nyo? for the benefit of the victims of Ondoy.

The controversial Japeth Aguilar will play for Smart Gilas, which the former Western Kentucky 6-foot-9 center chose over a PBA stint with Burger King. He played for Powerade RP in the Fiba Asia in China last month.

?We all decided to give our donation to the ABS-CBN Foundation,? said Eala. ?I hope we could all support this worthy endeavor.?

The Smart Gilas-Powerade game will be preceded by another duel pitting the top players of the UAAP and NCAA against a selection from the PBL and Liga Pilipinas.

Araneta has agreed to provide the venue for free, according to Eala, who also requested the leagues to donate old rubber shoes or rubber slippers for Ondoy?s victims.

Ticket prices are P200 for ringside/patron, P100 for lower box and P50 for upper A. Upper B and bleachers will be free to the public.

Smart Gilas was formed by the SBP in a bid to make it to the Olympics in London 2012. Coached by Serbian mentor and SBP project director Rajko Toroman, it is seeking the Olympic slot through the 2011 Fiba Asia championship.

The Powerade RP team coached by Yeng Guiao finished eighth in the Fiba Asia Championship in Tianjin, China.