Local celebs, players dance-off, shoot-out in Sendong charity event

Forget about the score. With players breakdancing before taking a shot and Jose Manalo calling a four-point shot from Chris Tiu, the San Juan Arena was roaring with laughter and cheers on Friday night for the Fastbreak charity game. Organized by reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year Kiefer Ravena and Ignite Media, Fastbreak was launched to help the victims of tropical storm Sendong in Northern Mindanao. All proceeds, including donations given at the venue, will be sent to the cities of Cagayan De Oro and Iligan. What started out as a simple tweet from Ravena turned into three hours of basketball joined in by local celebrities, and college and professional players. Among the UAAP and NCAA stars were Ravena, Tiu, Nico Salva, RR Garcia, Joshua Webb, Joseph Marata, Kevin Alas, Baser Amer, Jake Pascual, Justin Chua, JP Erram, Anton Altamirano, Raf Melocoton, Dan Sara, Thirdy Ravena and John Byron Villarias. Several local celebrities also took some time off to suit up for the charity game. Some of them were Gerald Anderson, Jhong Hilario, Gab Valenciano, Jon Hall, Young JV, Tado, Manalo and former San Sebatian Stag Marco Alcaraz. Musicians Rico Blanco and Champ Lui Pio were also present. “I haven’t played in two years. But I guess this will be my own little contribution to help the typhoon victims,” said Blanco. The PBA D-League was also represented by Jai Reyes, Chris Ellis and Karl Dehesa. At halftime, Hilario held a dougie dancing contest with some of the fans, ending up with a dance showdown among the volunteer players. Pairs also played in the two-ball challenge with actor Luis Alandy and Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown castaway Ervic Vijandre taking home the prize. The past, present and the future also met in the three-point shootout. GMA News reporter Mark Zambrano joined Ellis, B-MEG's James Yap and the PBA's "Triggerman" Allan Caidic in the competition. While Caidic remained the best three-point shooter in the country, Zambrano beating Yap stunned the crowd. But perhaps the highlight of the whole night was Manalo doing his famous impersonation of Budoy. Faced for the first time with the original actor, he and Anderson alternated asking the audience who looked better. By the time the final minute passed, it was already a riot on the court. Opposing players were issuing assists to each other, with the referee even getting included in the plays. Tado even climbed on San Beda big man Jake Pascual as he tried to reach for the ball. For just a few hours, people got a healthy serving of basketball while also helping the victims of tropical storm Sendong. And if referee Manalo didn’t entertain you enough with the four-point shot, he also gave Luis Alandy four free throws. — OMG/JVP, GMA News