PBA Legends’ medical, dental missions up
By Eddie G. Alinea - 9/10/2008

 

Inspired by the success of its three-game exhibition matches in three California cities several month ago, and subsequent games in New York and Washington, the PBA Legends USA Foundation is embarking on a medical and dental missions this coming October in Antipolo City and Cuyao, Nueva Ecija.

 

Foundation president and chair Abe King Jr., in an interview with this writer in San Francisco last week, announced that the medical and dental missions serve as the first of a short and long-range programs the PBA legends will be undertaking to help their indigent countrymen back home.

 

He said the Antipolo leg of the twin projects, scheduled Oct. 25, is collaborative efforts between the former PBA players now based in the United States and the city government, through councilor Alex Marquez, chair of the city’s health and social services committee.

 

The former Toyota power-forward said some 1,500 residents of Antipolo and nearby cities and towns strand to benefit from the project.

 

The Cuyapo stop of the program has been scheduled the next day with 500 or so individuals are expected to be treated.

 

King and Marquez, along with Foundation vice president Rey Santos, discussed the project in March during the Grand Reunion Tour of PBA Legends in California.

 

Antipolo Mayor Victor Sumulong, according to Marquez, a former mainstay of Yco during his PBA days, is giving his all-out support to the charitable program including the assistance of the city medical staff, and doctor, dentist and nurse volunteers for the mission.

 

“Continuing medical and dental missions, and the grant of scholarship grants to deserving but poor students to study in college are in the short and long-range plans of the Foundation,” said King from his home in Washington State. King will enplane for Manila for the mission.

 

“We hope our basketball fans, particularly those who watched the PBA Legends games in Washington State, California, and New York, and those in the Philippines, will support anew the medical and dental missions,” King appealed.

The PBA Legends website (www.pbalegendsusa.com) provides a ready mechanism to accept tax-deductible donations. “Any amount is most welcome that could mean a better life for our poor kababayans in the Philippines,” added King.

 

Pba Legends Robert Jaworski, Mon Fernandez, King’s Toyota teammates and Atoy Co, and Philip Cezar of arch-rival Crispa and latter day PBA heroes Allan Caidic, Alvin Patrimonio, Sonny Cabatu, Ronnie Magsanoc, Jolas, Manny Paner, Olsen Racela, Hector Calma, Art de la Cruz, and others are expected to grace the Antipolo and Cuyapo missions.