TWO WORLDS collided, and the basketball fans were all for it.
Last weekend, the San Juan Arena witnessed former pro players of the PBA Motoclub grace the court with the social media sensation Mavs Phenomenal - a 'crossover' that was highly anticipated since the vlogging group rose to fame years back.
Big names such as Marc Pingris, Rico Maierhofer, JayJay Helterbrand, Mac Cardona, KG Canaleta, Billy Mamaril, Doug Kramer, JC Intal, Roger Yap, Jerwin Gaco, Ronald Tubid, and Sol Mercado shared the court with amateurs Nem Dela Cruz, Richard Velchez, Poypoy Actub, Bebe Terminez, Kent Sanchez, and coach Mavrick Bautista among others.
The pros made their experience count, toppling Mavs 82-75, in four quarters.
Although the game was not ultra-competitive, the very experience was one for the books for Mavs players.
"Ayain ka ng legends, hindi lang basta PBA players, legends, hindi ka magno-no doon," coach Mavrick Bautista told SPIN.ph. "'Di man kami nanalo sa laro, umpisa pa lang panalo na kami from experience."
[READ: PBA greats turn back time in game vs Mav's]
Bautista continued: "Isang dream come true ito for an amateur team. Kaya nung ininvite kami, wala kaming ibang isasagot kundi 'yes'."
The game itself became very entertaining with 6-foot-6 big man Mamaril guarding smaller amateur players, and power forward Richard Velchez finding himself in the middle of fun and games with the former pros.
Every time Velchez attempted a layup, the whole arena shouted 'Huli!' as 'The Bully' was dead set on defending their ring side.
Again, nothing serious, but for Velchez, it was unforgettable.
"Sobrang ganda ng experience, sabi ko sa sarili ko, isang achievement to, na nakalaban ko ang mga idol ko," he said. "'Yung [advice] na binigay nila sakin... talagang sinasabi na magpursige pa ako sa paglalaro, mas na-motivate talaga ako."
Coach Mav was just happy to have said yes.
"Di sila makapaniwala [Mavs players] na sila ang napili. Kahit five minutes na paglalaro inside the court, kung saan tumatakbo din ang mga legends, it's an experience na di mo makakalimutan for a lifetime."
While Pingris, too, is just as grateful, he teases a part two in the next few months.
"Hindi ito ang huli, kaya, abang na lang kayo," the former Gilas star said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
