PBA old timers see action in ‘Return of the Rivals’
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2019 16:26:30 +0000
Retired players of San Miguel Beer, Alaska, Purefoods and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will show they still got the moves in Return of the Rivals of the Philippine Basketball Association today at the Araneta Coliseum.
San Miguel Beer, the 1989 grand slam team will face Alaska, the 1996 grand slam team, in the 4:30 p.m. first game, while Purefoods (now Magnolia) will meet its Manila Clasico archival Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the 7 p.m. main event.
Allan Caidic banners the Beermen under coach Pilo Pumaren along with Danny Ildefonso, Olsen Racela, Nic Belasco, Elmer Reyes, Dennis Miranda, Alvin Teng, Freddie Abuda, Danny Seigle, Nelson Asaytono, Dondon Hontiveros, Benjie Paras, Art dela Cruz, Arnold Gamboa, Bong Alvarez and Chris Calaguio.
“More than the rivalry, it’s a good cause to help their fellow players. It’s more of a fund raising event,” said San Miguel Beer assistant coach Jong Uichico, a former SMB head coach.
Alaska will be led by Jojo Lastimosa supported by Roehl Gomez, Rodney Santos, Willie Miller, Eddie Laure, Johnny Abarrientos, Kenneth Duremdes, Jeffrey Cariaso, Ervin Sotto, Bogs Adornado, Tony dela Cruz, Rodney Santos and John Ferriols.
Four-time Most Valuable Player Alvin Patrimonio will lead Purefoods together with Bonel Balingit, Dindo Pumaren, Bong Ravena, Al Solis, Tony Boy Espinosa, Paul Artadi, Ronnie Magsanoc, Peter Naron, Jerry Codiñera, Joey Sta. Maria, Glen Capacio, Roger Yap, Richard Yee and Totoy Marquez.
“I will be coaching and not playing. I don’t have any practice. We’ll see how’s the condition of the guys. But it’s not important what team will win. What important is how we can help our fellow players,” said Purefoods coach Ramon Fernandez, who is also a Philippine Sports Commission commissioner.
“It’s more of a fund raising event. It’s also good for the fans to see the old players play again.”
Ginebra will parade Noli Locsin, Bal David, Bennet Palad, Vince Hizon, Leo Isaac, Marlou Aquino, Pido Jarencio, EJ Feihl, Wilmer, Ong, Joey Loyzaga, Benny Cheng, Rudy Distrito, Jayvee Gayoso, Bobby Jose and Romulo Mamaril.
Ginebra, the PBA’s most popular team of all-time, is expected to be coached by Robert Sonny “The Living Legend” Jaworski Sr.
The event’s proceeds will benefit members of Samahan ng mga Dating Propesyonal na Basketbolista ng Pilipinas, an association of retired Filipino professional basketball players.
The post PBA old timers see action in ‘Return of the Rivals’ appeared first on The Manila Times Online.