Rain or Shine players, coaching staff pay tribute to SAF 44

(From L-R) Rain or Shine players TY Tang, Ryan Arana, and Jervy Cruz show the no. 44 badge on the left side of their jerseys. Rain or Shine paid tribute to the fallen 44 PNP-SAF commandos during their PBA game on Tuesday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS/EDSTER SY

MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine on Tuesday paid tribute to the 44 members of Philippine National Police-Special Action Forces (PNP-SAF) who were killed in the Mamasapano town encounter in Maguindanao Province last January 25 during their game in the 2015 PBA Commissioners’ Cup.

The Elasto Painters had the No. 44 emblazoned on the left side of their jerseys just above their hearts, while the coaching staff spearheaded by head mentor Yeng Guiao wore black armbands in their 96-91 win over NLEX Road Warriors.

“We just wanted pay a small tribute to the 44 lives that perished in an unfortunate incident,” Guiao, who is also a representative of Pampanga’s first district.

“Gusto lang namin bigyan ng pagpapahalaga at makiramay doon sa mga pamilya nila at bigyan ng pagpapahalaga ang kanilang sakripisyo (we just wanted to give them importance and pay respects to their families and for their sacrifices) – that’s why we have a black armband and the players wore the No. 44 on their jerseys,” Guiao added.

The 44 PNP-SAF members were brutally killed in clashes with Moro rebels. In the wake of the tragic event, President Benigno Aquino III declared Jan. 30 as a National Day of Mourning with Philippine flags all over the country flown at half-mast.

“For us, they are heroes so the team along with the management wanted to put the 44 on our jerseys,” said guard Ryan Araña. “It’s also our way of saying that we support our soldiers who continue to fight for the country.”

“It’s also a good feeling on our part that we’re able to do something for them by wearing it,” Araña added.

Guiao is unsure until when the players will keep wearing the “44” on the jerseys but said that he sees nothing wrong with wearing it until the end of the conference.

“We haven’t talked about it but at least for a start this is our own way of paying tribute so we haven’t talked about how long we’ll be wearing it. We’re not protesting anything we’re just sympathizing with the families and we’re just giving due importance for their sacrifices in our own small way.”