NBA, PBA, NCAA among ‘Yolanda’ donors

ON A night that celebrated his sports association’s biggest achievement, Manny V. Pangilinan’s thoughts remained with the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

“Now, more than ever, we need stories of inspiration,” Pangilinan, president of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, said in a moving speech during the PBA Press Corps awards Tuesday night at Wack Wack where the Gilas Pilipinas team was honored for its gritty run to the 2014 Fiba World Cup.

“Gaya ng Gilas, kaya natin bumangon (We can rise just like Gilas),” said Pangilinan.

Pangilinan, though, hasn’t been the only one who pitched in for relief efforts in the devastating aftermath of one of the strongest typhoons to hit the country as both local and international sports have also been doing their share.

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) pooled $500,000 (P21.8 million), half coursed through the United Nations Children’s Fund  (UNICEF) and the other through World Vision, to help the country it counts as one of the league’s biggest fans.

Reigning NBA champion Miami Heat, coached by Filipino-American Erik Spoelstra, also teamed up with Carnival Corp. in shelling out $1 million (P43.7 million).

The PBA  gave P1 million, while the NCAA also pledged P100,000 right before Monday’s finals opener between San Beda and Letran.

Golf made sure to lend a hand as the Wack Wack President’s Cup allocated a seed fund of P100,000 aside from vowing to donate the revenues the event will generate through the sponsorship this weekend.

Shakey’s V-League, which will cap its 10th year celebration with an All-Star volleyball game this weekend, will also share proceeds from the blockbuster event.

Even sports enthusiasts had been generous.
The fans club of PBA star James Yap shelled out P35,000 and the Philippine Azkals’ supporters also organized a donation drive.