DUE to the outpouring of love and admiration given him when he visited Manila in June, former two-time NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury is set to once again step on Philippine soil in August.
It can be recalled that Marbury’s previous visit was mostly spent fine-tuning negotiations for his Starbury shoe and apparel which he hopes to launch the last quarter of 2013. This time around, he will be participating in a charity basketball game with select players from the Philippine Basketball Association and ASEAN Basketball League to raise money for the National Press Club of the Philippines and Ahon Pamilyang Lansangan Foundation.
He and reigning ABL champion and MVP Asi Taulava will spearhead `Team RockStar’ versus the PBA’s Barako Bull Energy Cola.
“The reception the National Press Club gave to Stephon, and meeting the children and families being helped by Ahon, touched Stephon so much, that’s why he didn’t think twice in agreeing to be a part of this fundraising event,” stated Sports Network Management’s Sheryl Reyes, who serves as Marbury’s agent in Asia.
“They showed love for Stephon, so he’s giving back,” Reyes added.
The 1997 NBA first-rounder earlier promised to set aside a certain percentage of Starbury’s proceeds, once it hits the Philippine market, for the NPC’s educational and medical assistance fund for its members and their families, and children, under the care of Ahon, afflicted with Biliary Atresia needing immediate liver transplant.
He, however, did not wait until his products start selling locally and helped conceptualize an event that can quickly raise funds to help finance the children’s medical expenses.
One procedure costs about four million pesos, not including post-operative care.
“I am a parent, I have three kids. I can only imagine what they (parents) are going through seeing their children suffer like that. I will help as many people as I can, in what little way I can,” Marbury, who now plays for the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association, said in a previous interview.
Some of the money that will be raised will also go to the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) in Pasay City, where Marbury held his fans day last June, for campus enhancements.
“When you show love you get love in abundance,” expressed Marbury.
Some of the noted names in local hoops who will be joining the 2004 Olympic bronze medalist are the PBA’s Dondon Hontiveros, Ronald Tubid, Dorian Pena, Willie Miller, Alex Crisano, Chris Ross, Billy Mamaril, Renren Ritualo, Dorian Pena, Harvey Carey, and Sol Mercado who will help call the shots from the sidelines.
ABL players Leo Avenido, Taulava’s San Miguel teammate, and Jai Reyes of the Saigon Heat, will also be part of the team, along with the sports scribes’ Pakitang Gilas squad, the reigning NPC inter-beat champions. Side events, like a three-point shootout challenge, will be held before the game proper.
Presented by Team Reyes and L5R Events Production, the `A Day Of Love: Stephon Marbury Gives Back’ basketball game for a cause will be held on August 7, 6pm, at the AIMS covered court. Tickets are priced at P200 and P500 each. Atleta and Jersey Haven are the event’s official outfitters. For other details, queries may be coursed through teaml5r@yahoo.com or 0915-4134083.
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