PBA run fulfills late chair’s dream

MANILA, Philippines–It was the late Red Bull team manager Tony Chua who broached the idea of helping a children’s hospital to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) caters to the needs of children with chronic hematologic disorders (diseases which primarily affect the blood) and requiring immediate treatment.  However, the hospital is lacking in the most basic of needs like beds. “We saw how PCMC really needs help and we made it the beneficiary of the PBA Hall of Fame, of which Tony was a member of the executive committee,” said PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios. Chua drowned outside his residence in Cainta, Rizal, which was among the worst flooded areas at the height of Tropical Storm Ondoy, on Sept. 26, 2009.  The former league chair never got to attend last year’s Hall of Fame held two weeks after his tragic death. But the affable Chua must be smiling from the heavens as PCMC was again a league beneficiary during the PBA-Powerade Run for a Cause held Saturday inside the SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay.  Funds raised in the 3K, 5K and 10K events would go to PCMC’s Cancer and Hematology Center.  Close to a thousand responded to the PBA’s call to support the PCMC.  All PBA players were required to run.  Also joining the run were Purefoods team manager Alvin Patrimonio and assistant coach Rey Evangelista, Alaska owner and triathlete Wilfred Uytengsu Jr., Alaska assistant coach Dickie Bachmann and Gerald Francisco.  “We will give the teams a list of the players who did not run and the penalty will be mandatory donation to the PCMC,” said Barrios.  “It’s for a good cause so I’m sure they won’t mind.”  Irineo Raquin clocked 36 minutes and 37 seconds in topping the 10K men’s race, just two seconds ahead of Cresenciano Sabal.  Eric Panique was third in 36:45.  The women’s division top three placers were Luisa Raterta (45:25), Marecil Maquilan (46:39) and Ailene Tolentino (49:22).  San Sebastian College stalwart Mervin Guarte led all men’s 5K finishers in 19:05, Jujet de Asis checked in 5 seconds later and Ferdinand Corpuz wound up third in 19:22.  University of Santo Tomas’ Serenata Saluan ruled the distaff side with a time of 15:49, followed by Nhe-Ann Barcena (15:56) and Adjennie Rose Delos Santos (25:31).  The 3K winners were Michael Bacung (9:45), Wenly Maulas (9:51) and Patrick Gongub (10:02) and Jila dela Rosa (12:22), Liza Diaz (12:42) and Michelle de Vera (12:55).  “This run may very well become a yearly endeavor,” said Barrios.  The event was sponsored by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Bandera, Inquirer Libre, official timer Soleus, Smart, Air21, Viva, Zest Air, Pharmaton, Accel, Mang Inasal, Biogenic Alcohol, Norkis, AeroMed and Ifnica.   NU 107 served as the radio partner while Solar Sports was exclusive TV partner.