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IN HUDDLE

MANILA, Philippines -- Former PBA cager Abe King had both good news and bad when he called from Seattle, Washington last Sunday.

 First the good news. 

“The PBA Legends Tour to four cities in California will be truly, truly star-studded; a dream come true for PBA fans here in the United States,” Abe said. 

“No less than the Living Legend Sonny Jaworski has signed up for the Tour and so have PBA greats Mon Fernandez, Philip Cezar and coaches Baby Dalupan and Dante Silverio of arch rivals Crispa and Toyota.”

The list, he said, grows longer and longer with every day that passes, what with many players offering their services even if they have to pay their own airfare.

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As of last count, the entourage was up to 25, according to Abe.

 And to think that just last October, when he visited Manila to finalize arrangements, there were only a little more than l0 players on the list: Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim, Jojo Lastimosa, Manny Victorino, Dindo Pumaren, Ronnie Magsanoc, Bong Ravena, Gerry Esplana, Vergel Meneses, Hector Calma and Jerry Codiñera.

This number has grown to include Olsen Racela, Johnny Abarrientos, Dwight Lago, Jay Mendoza, Bong Alvarez, Art dela Cruz, and Bobby Jose.

 The bad news isn’t really bad, but Abe, who’s chair of the PBA Legends USA Foundation, will have to work harder to accommodate the 25-man entourage.

 The foundation is shouldering all the expenses, which include air fare, board and lodging and per-game allowance.

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“I’m thinking of tapping sponsors such as Philippine Airlines, baka matulungan naman kami sa (they might help us with our) air fare,” Abe said.

 “After all, the money that will be raised from the Legends Tour will be put to good use. The proposed projects of the foundation include medical and dental missions, scholarship grants, low-cost housing and basketball clinics, with the Filipinos in the Philippines as beneficiaries.”