MANILA, Philippines—Although Purefoods cager Romel Adducul insisted on staying active in the hardcourt while waging his battle against cancer, his doctors put their foot down.

Currently undergoing simultaneous chemotherapy and cobalt treatments, Romel’s physicians said his immune system is down to 50 percent and may even go lower if he expends more energy. In his condition, Romel is susceptible to diseases.

According to Purefoods governor Rene Pardo, Romel has just finished his second chemotherapy session.

“But what he is complaining about are the almost daily cobalt treatments. It burns the area around his nose and throat and makes it difficult for him to swallow. He has been on a liquid diet,” said Mang Pards.

Despite the side effects, Romel still manages to attend the Giants’ regular practice sessions wearing a mask. His muscles have started to sag a bit because he is not allowed by his doctors to do gym work.

The good news however is that the malignant tumor under his right jaw, which was as big as a golf ball, has disappeared.

Last week the PBA offered a mass at the Christ the King parish in White Plains for the speedy recovery of the cager.

All the teams were represented. Champion Sta. Lucia Realty came in full force, from PBA governor Buddy Encarnado down to the utility boys.

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“Politics in sports is not for me,” said SBP executive director Pato Gregorio who resigned from his post last week.

No, it was not the Sam Ekwe incident in Jakarta that had prompted him to resign.

It was just the last straw that broke the camel’s back.

“I’ve been thinking about it and MVP (SBP predident Manny Pangilinan ) knows that. I handed in my resignation as a gesture of courtesy and to give MVP a free hand.

“I want to show people that just like in rotary clubs, one year of committed federation work is enough. I will continue to perform my job until next month, then move on,” said Gregorio, whose resignation takes effect on May 3l.

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Ruffy Ignacio, secretary-treasurer of the PBA Legends Foundation USA, wrote to relay the good news that Abe King is over his depression .

“In fact, Abe is now very busy rounding up the US-based Legends for the Philippine Independence day celebrations on June 1 in New York,” Ruffy said. The PBA Legends have been invited by the consul general to join the parade.

Among those who are expected to grace the affair are Danny Florencio, Estoy Estrada, Francis Arnaiz and Yves Dignadice, all from the West coast, and Rey Lazaro, Naning Valenciano, Yoyoy Villamin, Abet Guidaben and of course Abe, from the East coast.

Incidentally, Abe has offered a reward of $100 to anyone who can give him a copy of the August 14, l987 issue of Mr. and Ms. Magazine which has him and wife Ligaya (Pascual, a former beauty queen) on the cover and another $l00 for the Mar 13-20, 1987 issue of SportsWeekly Magazine.

Abe is also looking for someone who could compile newspaper and magazine clippings on him and Francis Arnaiz to make into separate scrapbooks. The more comprehensive, the better, according to Abe, who played in the NCAA, the MICAA and the PBA.

Abe and Francis are open to negotiation. Abe can be contacted at this email address: kingpba6@yahoo.com.

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If I may mention, Abe’s eldest daughter is engaged to be married this year to a scion of the Schreiner family, the very wealthy and benevolent owner of Ohana Harbor Coffee and Wrigley’s Chewing Gum. The Schreiners also happen to be the boss of Abe and Ligaya, who swear they are very lucky to be working for the kindest, most supportive employers.

The recent PBA Legends Tour was not only largely funded by Steve and Donna Schreiner, they also went out of their way to watch the Legends game.

The low profile and conservative Schreiners are renewing their marriage vows on April 18 in Hawaii where Cona coffee (top of the line coffee) is grown. Of course the Kings are invited.

According to Abe, “Ohana” is the Hawaiian word for “family.”