CEBU CITY – Meralco is donating P500,000 for EASL’s benefit game for typhoon victims between the Bolts and Macau Black Bears on Saturday at the Cebu Coliseum.
The players chipped in for the cause with the management also matching it after the Cebu province was badly hit by typhoon ‘Tino’ recently.
“When we learned about the game happening here in Cebu, the initial reaction of the team, of course, was really exciting because it’s no secret that the Cebuanos are some of the best fans in the world, most avid basketball fans. So there’s a lot of excitement to be playing over here,” Meralco team manager Paolo Trillos said during Friday’s press conference at the Citadines Cebu City here.
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“The other day in practice, some of the players got together, Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson), our captain Chris Newsome, the rest of the players, and it was very touching. They wanted to raise a fund on their own to also help and contribute to the donations. I think they raised quite a good amount. Management, at the same time, also wanted to contribute,” Trillo added.
“So what we’re going to do is with the amount that they raised, management will top it up and we’re going to vouch and commit P500,000 to the city of Cebu."
The Bolts will go up against the Black Bears in what is being dubbed as ‘Basketball for Cebu’ and EASL senior vice president and head of operations Dominic Tang is glad to help out the city and the province -- a place the league has been targeting to tap because of their basketball tradition.
“It was a very quick decision after we saw what happened in Cebu over the last couple of months with the earthquake, with the typhoons, and we made the conscious decision to come over here," Tang said.
"We wanted to do something to give back to Cebu, to the Philippines. And I think without Mayor Nestor's (Archival) help on this one, it would have not been possible.”
Tang said the EASL will also work closely with property developer Cebu Landmasters and the Cebu City local government so that the proceeds will go to those affected by the natural disaster.
The Bolts will look to claim their second straight victory over the Black Bears, and also entertain the Cebuanos who were affected during the recent typhoon.
“What we’re doing here for the cause is really bigger than basketball. But of course, we do this in partnership with the city of Cebu and with the EASL. And we’re very proud and honored to be here,” Trillo added.
Also present in the press conference were Cebu City councilor Jose Abellanosa and Cebu City Sports Commission chief Rhoel O. Dejaño.
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