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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider PBA stars, Olympian support grassroots development

PBA stars, Olympian support grassroots development

Published Jan 23, 2025 07:24 am

At A Glance

  • PBA stars Scottie Thompson and Jayson Castro as well as Paris Olympian Maxine Esteban all advocate the growth of Philippine sports particularly at the grassroots level.

PBA stars Scottie Thompson and Jayson Castro as well as Paris Olympian Maxine Esteban all advocate the growth of Philippine sports particularly at the grassroots level.


PBA Images19 (18).jpg

 

Thompson and Castro want to provide help to young and aspiring athletes in less privileged areas and give them the opportunity to rise toward their lofty goals in life.

Esteban, for her part, has made her choice to lend a hand to aspiring Filipino athletes, especially the young ones, for them to represent the country in the Olympics.

“It’s really my advocacy kasi kahit naman di ako pinalad na marepresent yung Pilipinas sa Olympics, ipinangako ko talaga sa sarili ko na I want to be relevant in Philippine sports and really to help athletes here in the Philippines,” said Esteban.

And the three were just happy to find an ally with 1Pacman Party-list first nominee Milka Romero who shared the same vision in helping young athletes especially in the far-flung areas of the provinces.

“They're into sports. Alam natin, sa Pilipinas, sobrang need natin ng support sa sports, not just basketball, not just the Gilas but all kinds of sports na talagang tutulungan natin para umunlad,” Thompson said of 1Pacman led by Romero.

Castro, had a more personal experience on how 1Pacman and the Romeros help aspiring athletes as he, himself, was once a recipient of that helping hand from incumbent representative and sports patron Mikee Romero.

“Since first campaign ni Boss Mikee nandon na ako so maganda yung programa nila para sa mga kabataan sa sports. Kung di mo na maitatanong isa rin sila sa tumulong sa akin nung PBL days ko so ‘yun ‘yung give back ko sa kanila kasi sila rin naman yung unang tumulong sa akin,” recalled the TNT playmaker.

Through 1Pacman, Castro is hopeful that the support for Philippine sports would reach even the far-flung barrios of the provinces.

“Maraming mga athlete na mga less privileged na hindi na bibigyan ng mga opportunity na ipakita o i-showcase yung talent nila. So at least nandiyan ‘yung 1Pacman para tulungan sila," added the two-time best point guard in Asia.

 

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