PBA Legends Come to the Jersey Shore

The Filipino-American community in the South Jersey area was treated to a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of notable professional basketball players from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) last Saturday, November 7, 2009, in an exhibition game brought to fruition by the Fil-Am Sports of Ocean County—New Jersey (FASOC-NJ). Bannering such legendary athletes as Abet Guidaben, Yoyoy Villamin, Manny Victorino, and PBA Legends USA Foundation president Abe King, the PBA players spent the afternoon swapping stories with other Filipinos from the tri-State area, signing autographs, and in a culminating activity, competed against an Ocean County selection in a hotly contested ball game. FASOC-NJ Athletic Commissioner Bong Ulep masterminded the event, calling it a unique opportunity to showcase Filipino athleticism and allow everyone the chance to interact with the heroes of the hardcourt who inspired many to pursue the sport of basketball. “The considerable turn out at the event is encouraging and shows that through sports, our Fil-Am community can help our less fortunate fellowmen. We help while we are playing the game we love as a nation—basketball,” notes Bong Ulep. “I thank you, our PBA Legends for all the years of exciting entertainment you’ve shared. Your efforts and high level of sportsmanship on the court truly reflect your love and respect for the game and we honor you for that.” More than just an exhibition game however, this event brought the Filipino community together in a unified effort to raise funds in support of its countrymen back in the Philippines beset by consecutive super typhoons. Benefactors of the event, such as Jersey Shore Medical and Pediatric Group, Ocean Renal Associates, Rose Garden Rehab, Silverton Pediatrics, FAMS (Filipino American Medical Society of Toms River), RJ Fastfoods, and other Filipino owned businesses and individuals spearheaded the effort to gather donations for the benefit of typhoon victims in the Philippines. “This has been a dream project for our organization,” states FASOCNJ President Randy Talamayan, “Not only did we get the opportunity to shoot some hoops against our basketball idols, we also brought the community closer together for one night of fun and entertainment. More importantly, everyone came together in a selfless act of charity— from the PBA Legend, our sponsors, our participants and guests—united by the desire to help our country, even in a small way, achieve some level of recovery.” Also an added bonus for the event, basketball enthusiasts in the area were treated to a gathering of Fil-Am athletes who showed off their basketball skills during the pre-game competition. The North Jersey Knights emerged victorious in a single round elimination competition that also showcased the talents of young Filipino-Americans from the New York area (SIMBA NY), Maryland (FABL) and Washington DC (FABA, DC Metro), and our very own Ocean County youngsters. The main event, on the other hand, was a grand exhibition of the aforementioned PBA players along with other PBA veteran guests Louie Brill, Alejo ‘Ponky’ Alolor, Peter Aguilar, Ricky Relosa, Tim Coloso, Derick Bughao, Ric Ric Marata, Eddie Boy Mendoza, Bryant Punsalan, Naning Valenciano, and Bong Valera. All in all, it was a whole day of camaraderie, competition, and noble intentions. It was truly a memorable gathering of hardcourt heroes and Fil-Am athletes for the greater good.

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