By JONAS TERRADO
More PBA personalities have joined the efforts led by Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso in making sure that the league’s gameday personnel will be compensated despite the suspension of games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cariaso said on Thursday that over 20 players and coaches have made donations a day after the Aces mentor started the drive to aid people who rely on gamedays to earn a living.
“I’m happy to announce that there’s over 20 players and coaches who have donated to the cause,” Cariaso said. “So many of them with big hearts helping make a difference to our PBA family.”
The former PBA All-Star earlier announced a donation of P25,000 from his own pocket plus an additional P50,000 from Alaska and P25,000 from team governor Dickie Bachmann.
Other players followed suit, notably Meralco’s Cliff Hodge and San Miguel Beer’s Chris Ross.
“I will donate (P20,000) to help in your cause coach,” Hodge told Cariaso on Twitter. “Let me know also if there is anything else I can do to help our PBA family.”
“I’ll match!” Ross said while re-tweeting Hodge.
Hodge’s teammate Nico Salva also donated an undisclosed amount while NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena was able to secure commitments from Magnolia’s Paul Lee and Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga.
Cariaso earlier said that the target is to be able to give each person affected a salary of two months.
Among those hit by the PBA stoppage are statisticians, table officials, gatekeepers, entertainment personnel and parking and operations staff.
