MANILA, Philippines—It turned out to be a showcase of generosity and talent.
Taking time out for a cause, PBA legend Allan Caidic and Ateneo star Kiefer Ravena led a select group of pro and amateur cagers who strutted their stuff along with showbiz stars in Fastbreak Friday at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Ateneo center Justin Chua and dancer-actor Jhong Hilario drilled 16 points each and Ravena had 14 as Smart-White downed Meralco-Red, 118-107, in a charity basketball match for the benefit of victims of Tropical Storm “Sendong” in Cagayan de Oro.
“I think I’ll trade any championship for this one,” said Ravena, the UAAP Rookie of the Year who organized the fund raiser. “It’s good to win, but it also feels good to help.”
In the three-point shootout, Caidic still ruled over PBA MVP James Yap of the B-Meg Llamados, Chris Ellis of PBA D-League champion NLEX and GMA-7 news reporter Mark Zambrano.
Caidic, one of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players, edged Ellis, 11-8, in the final round after topping the eliminations with 14 points.
Celebrities Ervic Vijandre and Champ Lui Pio also took the two-ball title after combining for 40.
Pacing the Meralco-Red were singer Young JV with 22 points while former UAAP MVP RR Garcia of Far Eastern U and Ateneo’s Nico Salva scored 14 points each.
Cagayan de Oro natives Joseph Marata of La Salle and Ateneo’s JP Erram also suited up for Meralco-Red along with the La Salle duo of Joshua Webb and Dan Sara, Jai Reyes, Thirdy Ravena, popular actor Gerald Anderson and celebrities Jon Hall, Tado and Gab Valenciano.
Smart Gilas skipper Chris Tiu and comedian Jose Manalo saw action for Smart-White along with Letran’s Kevin Alas, San Beda’s Baser Amer and Jake Pascual, actors Marco Alcaraz, Luis Alandy, Vijandre, singers Rico Blanco and Lui Pio, cagers Anton Altamirano and Raf Melocoton.
The scores:
SMART-WHITE 118—Hilario 16, Chua 16, Ravena K. 14, Vijandre 13, Tiu 12, Alcaraz 11, Alandy 7, Alas 6, Altamirano 6, Manalo 6, Pascual 6, Melocoton 3, Lui Pio 2, Amer 0, Blanco 0, Villarias 0.
MERALCO-RED 107—Young JV 22, Salva 14, Garcia 14, Marata 12, Anderson 11, Hall 8, Erram 8, Reyes 6, Valenciano 4, Webb 3, Tado 3, Sara 2, Ravena T. 0.
Quarters: 25-27, 50-62, 87-86, 118-107