THE UNTV Cup PBA Legends Face-off begins on June 2 at the Pasig Sports Center with former players of PBA ballclubs Barangay Ginebra, Purefoods, San Miguel, and Alaska turning back the hands of time.
League commissioner Atoy Co bared during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum the round-robin tournament for former PBA players 40 years old and above offers a P1 million prize to the champion team.
Barangay Ginebra will be led by Jayjay Helterbrand. He will be joined by Bal David, Vince Hizon, Rudy Distrito, EJ Feihl, Marlou Aquino, Bobby Jose, Benny Cheng, Mike Orquillas, Banjo Calpito, and Pido Jarencio.
Four-time PBA MVP Alvin Patrimonio will lead Purefoods along with Jerry Codinera, Dindo Pumaren, Glenn Capacio, Bong Ravena, Richard Yee, Joey Santamaria, Bonel Balingit, Tony Boy Espinosa, Dwight Lago, Roger Yap, and Rommel Adducul.
Allan Caidic, meanwhile, will be bannering San Miguel and will be joined by Nic Belasco, Ato Agustin, Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Ildefonso, Nelson Asaytono, Olsen Racela, Arnold Gamboa, Bong Alvarez, Kiko Adriano, Danny Seigle, and Chris Calaguio.
Johnny Abarrientos leads the Alaska squad and will be teaming up with Jojo Lastimosa, Bong Hawkins, Jeffrey Cariaso, Poch Juinio, Rodney Santos, Eddie Laure, Willie Miller, John Ferriols, and Kenneth Duremdes.
The tournament, a follow-up to the one-off Return of the Rivals event, is another project of the PBA Legends Foundation, which was formed to help less fortunate former PBA players. Co is also the chairman of the foundation.
“After the tournament, the UNTV Cup will donate P2 million to the PBA Legends Foundation kaya madagdagan ang pondo namin. Mas maraming pera, mas marami tayong matutulungan,” said Co.
The tournament opens with San Miguel taking Purefoods at 12 noon, and Barangay Ginebra facing Alaska at 1:30 p.m. on June 12.
San Miguel battles Alaska, while Purefoods takes on Ginebra on June 9 at the Pasig Sports Center, while Alaska faces Purefoods, and Ginebra collides with San Miguel on June 16 to wrap up the eliminations.
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