By JONAS TERRADO
Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso has started the process of handing out funds to PBA game-day personnel who are affected by the suspension of games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cariaso said Saturday that the fund drive has already surpassed their modest target and the amount will be donated to each personnel through help from 42 players, coaches and other members of the PBA community.
The former PBA star didn’t reveal the amount collected but he earlier said the fundraising project is aimed at giving those affected a two-month salary.
“Regarding the PBA Non Regular Employees Fund Raiser, I’m happy to announce that with the help of 42 generous donations from players, coaches, friends, team managers, a team owner, and a whole team, we have surpassed the goal set,” Cariaso tweeted.
“Thank you very much to those who helped out in this endeavor to take care of those close to us. The process to transfer funds has begun, and we have reached out to almost half of them already,” he added.
Cariaso began the raising money shortly after the PBA decided to halt the games due to pandemic and the subsequent implementation of an “enhanced community quarantine” by the government.
The postponement has affected PBA personnel who rely on gamedays to earn a living.
Numerous PBA personalities have made efforts to help those in need since the quarantine started in mid-March.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s LA Tenorio is leading an effort participated by players to aid those in the production crew of network carrier TV5.
His teammate Japeth Aguilar and wife Cassandra and San Miguel Beer’s Terrence Romeo have launched their own endeavor to donate medical supplies to medical workers.
Magnolia’s Marc Pingris, on the other hand, is leading a group of PBA players who will compete in an esports event to raise money for the University of the Philippines Medical Foundation.
NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena, Rain or Shine’s Ryan Arana, Ginebra’s Raymond Aguilar and even suspended Phoenix cager Calvin Abueva also made simple contributions to help the frontliners.
