The Rebound: Credits and Reality Check

The Rebound: Credits and Reality Check

Credits and thanks to …………….

The generous and good fans of 600 plus who paid good money to watch the PBA LEGENDS play at LS CDN March 29 .

The PBA LEGENDS for their 5 day stop-over to share and display the skill and talent ( or what’s left of it ) that made them All Stars and Philippine Legends in the 90′ s , Mike Bermudez who brokered the Event , Cheryl Lin Pinaroc who drove them around , Jake Enganas and Aris Punayen who drove them to St . Sauvieur to shop and drove them to the Airport Sunday on their way out to Baltimore .

To the volunteers like Joyce de Guzman , Naty Floresca , Emily Aquino , Glenda Lasaten in ticket control ; Fely Balles , Bangg Mendiola , Marlene Dagsaan , Len Favia , Nita Chaves in the Reception , Roger Hernando , Johny Luncion , Richie Reyes , Emel Macarine , Jo Valdez , Kiko Ladronillo in Security , alalays Robert de Guzman , Boy Dagsaan , John Reyes , Aron Poonin and MC Ed Vasquez.

The PBAM LOYALS of Rick Aquino and Mike Narciso , the Open team of Migg Sorensen , U-13 Selex of Jex Mendiola , Jason Mayuga , Norman Morales . the Fiesta Bakers of Demie and Willie Pescador and the Ottawa Open of Charles Go .

Frank and Lydia Baluyot , Nida Quirapas , Nancy Maguigad and myself for committing and providing the resources and confidence which launched the March 29 Project .

The do-gooders who feted the Legends , March 25 Kenny Kum-mon and Nida Quirapas , March 26 Art Carrera and Cuisine Manila , March 27 FAMAS Executive Officers , March 28 Ed and Connie Vasquez, March 29 Cesar Manuel , Joyce de Guzman , Lin Lalic , Glenda Lasaten , Rick Aquino , Frank and Lydia Baluyot , Jake-Nancy Maguigad and those too many to mention but made the Basketball Fiesta possible .

REALITY CHECK : The LEGENDS exhibition game jointly sponsored by the PBAM and FAMAS was primarily for community service , never for financial gain . Whatever was netted was to be given to any Philippine Calamity fund , specially Yolande victims .

There was no written binding contract drawn between the LEGENDS and the Management of the Filipino Basketball Fiesta . All transactions were sealed by a gentleman’s agreement and palabra de honor . This
included Air fare , Hotel . personal appearance fees and per diems . The Fiesta Management respected all . if not more , of its obligation .

A lot , mainly female , bought tickets because of Benjie Paras . Papa Bear could not make it , hibernating ?

Some ( a lot ? dunno ) were disappointed with the game , citing the Legends were too slow and bulky . It is obvious there is a change ….. the Legends were big time Stars but that was 15 or more years ago . I was and am not disappointed . First time I saw a Filipino taller than Sean Browne . Marlow Aquino was imposing .

Somewhere , someone bungled . A lot expressed displeasure at the lack of exposure of the Legends . Like they were sequestered in their 5 day stay . Two of them could have at least , watched the U-13 and the Ottawa PBAM Open game . This could have been very appreciated .

March Madness . Basketball friends from New York and Mississauga called up before March 29 with a caution that it was sheer madness and lunacy for us to take on the high risk Legends exhibition game on 6 weeks preparation . Pure guts , a couple of credit cards , faith in our allied Clubs and the 40 plus teams to deliver proved our basketball friends and doubting Thomases , wrong . We are in the black .

Eyeing the SRO (Standing Room Only ) capacity crowd March 29 , a Financial analyst commented that the the PBAM pocketed a bundle again . If Air Canada gave the Legends free flights , Quality Midtown Hotel
offered 5 nights complementary lodging and the players waived their Personal appearance fees and per diems, agreed , the PBAM would have made money . If you want disastrous financial advice , will give you his number !

Enough already …..

by Jake Maguigad

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