MANILA, Philippines – The PBA intends to donate all proceeds of Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals featuring TNT and Barangay Ginebra to relief efforts for those affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
League commissioner Willie Marcial on Thursday, October 24, said he expects the opener of the best-of-seven affair to net P1.5 million to P2 million, which will be donated to the Alagang Kapatid Foundation.
Severe Tropical Storm Kristine ravaged multiple parts of the country, with Bicol among the hardest-hit regions.
“We’re here preparing for a game and they’re there [thinking] about whether they still have a home to return to or food to eat,” said Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua during the finals press conference in Taguig on Thursday.
Game 1 is set on Sunday, October 27, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Defending champion TNT seeks to defend its throne against a determined Gin Kings side in a rematch of the Governors’ Cup finals last year.
Led by reigning Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the Tropang Giga dealt Ginebra its first finals loss with Justin Brownlee as TNT captured the Governors’ Cup crown in six games.
Brownlee and the Gin Kings, meanwhile, hope to re-establish dominance in the conference they ruled four times in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2021. – Rappler.com