Gilas Pilipinas starts fund relief drive for victims of ‘Maring’

Smart Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The entire nation rallied behind Smart Gilas Pilipinas in its return to basketball prominence, and now it’s time for the team to give back.

Head coach Chot Reyes spearheaded a relief drive called “Gilas Pilipinas Maring Fund” for the victims of Tropical Storm “Maring” and enjoined the national team members to lend their help.

“Our brothers came out for us — now it’s time to give back,” said Reyes in a tweet (@coaching), tagging the Twitter accounts of the players and the coaching staff. “Dating gawi.”

Cash donations can be made through the Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc. BDO Account no. 00-5310-41016-4 or BPI Account. 1443-05-33-32, and “deposit with the note Gilas Pilipinas Maring Fund,” according to Reyes.

“Invite all your followers to do the same. LPP [Laban Pilipinas Puso],” added Reyes, who confirmed in a text message to INQUIRER.net that the accounts are already open for donation.

Larry Fonacier, LA Tenorio, Jimmy Alapag, Marcus Douthit, Jeff Chan, Ranidel De Ocampo, Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, Gary David, Marc Pingris, JuneMar Fajardo, and Jayson Castro make up the Gilas five cast which, earlier this month, booked a ticket to the Fiba Asia Worlds.