Blackwater beats Swatch in Asi Taulava charity thriller

Kerby Raymundo stole the ball from the inbounding Asi Taulava and completed the heist with a game-winning bucket as Team Blackwater escaped Team Swatch, 126-125, in the Built Upon the Rock charity game Sunday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The charity event organized by Taulava, which brought together PBA stars and showbiz celebrities playing for relief operations of flood victims, featured lots of fun and showmanship. But when things got serious during winning time, as Raymundo and rookies Alex Mallari and Cliff Hodge carried their team back into the game. Mallari had two three-pointers in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter while Hodge had several rim-rattling slams, setting up Raymundo’s finishing kick. But more than the win, Team Blackwater playing coach Jimmy Alapag was happiest about the turnout. “The most significant thing here is that people were able to help out,” said Alapag. “We can do this thing all over again, especially when our fellow Filipinos need our help, like those victim of floods.” Shrieking fans Fans were enthralled seeing their hoop heroes taking the court with their showbiz idols. Derek Ramsay and Chris Tiu earned the most shrieks from fans, although Tiu had to sit out the game because of a hamstring injury. But the Rain or Shine rookie was in a visibly good mood throughout the affair, after learning about the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas victory in the William Jones Cup earlier in the evening. “Ang ganda ng panalo ng Philippines sa Jones Cup, ano? Great job for our team,” said Tiu. Celebrities Billy Crawford and Eric Tai set the tone for the show with a danceoff during player introductions. Crawford, a Team Swatch player, later got laughs by suiting up as a referee and calling two dubious travelling charges on Team Blackwater’s Allein Maliksi. Television host Tim Yap emceed the event and even made a short cameo on the court. He borrowed Tiu’s jersey and joined the action as part Team Swatch. His teammates gave him the ball, which he carried without dribbling for a short stab to beat the first half buzzer. Aside from the game, the event also featured other fundraising activities, including an auction for a basketball featuring autographs from all the players and celebrities participating. Empire Poker co-owner Mike Sprotti, whose company supported the event, went home with the basketball. “Well, it’s for charity that’s why I bid for it,” Sprotti told InterAKTV. “This is my own little way of helping my friend, Asi Taulava.” The event, supported by the PBA, was just the latest move from the league’s players to help victims of floods brought about by torrential rains that hammered the Philippines earlier this month. Earlier this month, the PBA donated P1 million for flood relief efforts. This was in addition to efforts by players, spearheaded by SMART-Gilas coach Chot Reyes, to collect P1 million among themselves for flood donation. Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/blackwater-beats-swatch-in-asi-taulava-charity-thriller