Members of the PBA delegation install basketball rims and hoops as they visit Tacloban on Friday. Photo from PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines—Last Friday’s trip to Tacloban proved to be a humbling experience for the PBA stars as they witnessed up close the wide-spread devastation brought by Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan).
Veterans Danny Seigle, Mark Caguioa, LA Tenorio, Jimmy Alapag and Asi Taulava led the league’s delegation, which also included PBA Commissioner Chito Salud, chair Mon Segismundo and board member Eric Arejola.
Weeks have passed since the deadly typhoon, but the sight of piled trucks and cars, flattened houses and wrecked buildings still welcomed the PBA players.
“Damaged brought upon by Yolanda is heartwrenching. Pictures don’t do justice to what people went through,” Seigle tweeted (@dannyseigle42) on Saturday. “Please continue to help & pray for them.”
Ginebra star Caguioa, who flew to Tacloban just hours after a big win over Globalport, tweeted tons of photos of the damage in Tacloban and said that he’s “never seen anything like this.”
Talk N’ Text’s Alapag, one of the country’s heroes in the recent Fiba Asia Championship here who traces his roots to Tacloban, said the experience was one of the “most humbling” moments of his life.
“Let’s all continue to try and do our part. Still so much work to be done there,” Alapag also said on his Twitter account (@jalapag3).
But the PBA stars managed to bring joy, even just for a moment, to the weary residents in Leyte by bringing the game that they love closer and more accessible to them in this time of recovery.
The PBA installed six portable rims and boards and also donated six dozen basketballs on top of the relief goods.
“Thankful for the opportunity to visit Tacloban with these guys today. Hopefully we brought a little bit of joy and happiness to everyone there,” Alapag also said.
The players were met with loudest cheers, and they gamely obliged the victims for photo ops.
“Hiling ng mga kabataan ng mga taga Tacloban sa PBA na magkaroon sila ng isang maayos na basketball court. Nakakalimutan daw nila ang mga nangyari sa kanila habang naglalaro sila ng basketball,” posted Kings’ star point guard LA Tenorio.