PBA to donate proceeds of Finals’ Game 1 to Kristine victims

PBA chairman Ricky Vargas during the pre-finals press conference between TNT Tropang Giga and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—The Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals between Ginebra and TNT will show that it’s more than basketball.

During the Finals’ press conference at The Atrium at Enderun on Thursday, the league said that the ticket sales of the series opener will be donated to victims of Tropical Storm “Kristine,” which has ravaged the country in the past few days.

“We already talked to our chairman and all the proceeds for Sunday’s game will be donated,” said San Miguel sports director Alfrancis Chua in Filipino.

PBA Finals schedule: Ginebra Gin Kings vs TNT Tropang Giga

“We’ll be preparing [finances] while others will be preparing food and such,” added Chua.

League commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the development and said the PBA will coordinate with TV5’s “Alagang Kapamilya.”

According to Marcial, all proceeds will be given to TV5’s charity program and it will be up to them to spread the donations evenly to those affected by typhoon.

LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine

“The PBA will be giving these [proceeds] to those who got hit by flood and we will be entrusting it to the Alagang Kapatid foundation,” PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said.

As of writing, “Kristine’s” death toll reached 20.

Game 1 of the PBA Finals will take place at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo on Sunday.