Aimed at providing assistance to the country’s former professional basketball players, UNTV Cup once again successfully staged its fourth off-season tourney dubbed as “PBA Legends Face-off”, wherein a total of P2-million tax-free prize was donated to the Samahan ng mga Dating Propesyonal na Basketbolista ng Pilipinas Foundation Inc., (formerly PBA Legends Foundation).

The one-month long tournament organized by UNTV News and Rescue spearheaded by its Chairman and CEO, Dr. Daniel Razon featured the legendary players of the Philippine Basketball Association, namely Alaska Milkmen, San Miguel Beer, Purefoods, and Ginebra.

Alaska bested San Miguel Beer in a classic finals matchup with a score of 77-75 winning the championship and a cash prize of P1 million donated to charity. 

Meanwhile, San Miguel ended up with P500,000.00 winnings while Purefoods and Ginebra settled for third and fourth with P300,000.00 and P200,000.00 cash prize respectively.

“I’m so thankful kay Kuya Daniel, sa UNTV group for the never-ending support and guidance sa amin sa foundation. Nakita mo naman ‘yung support ng tao, family namin, at higit sa lahat, kay Kuya Daniel. I’m so thankful (I’m so thankful to Kuya Daniel, to the UNTV group for the never-ending support and guidance to us in the foundation. You can really see the support of the people, our families, and most of all, Kuya Daniel. I’m so thankful),” said Allan Caidic of San Miguel Beer.

Purefoods’ legend Bong Ravena also full of praises to UNTV for making the event possible while also acknowledging the main purpose of the tourney.

“Aside from the win, this (game) is for all the fans. Makabalik man lang kami sa kanila kahit maliit na kasiyahan. Malaking bagay sa amin iyon (Aside from the win, this (game) is for all the fans. To somehow give back to them through this small act, it’s a fulfilment for us),” he added.

Unending Support from Bro. Eli Soriano and MCGI

“Ang lahat po ng ito ay hindi magiging posible kung hindi una sa lahat, sa tulong at awa ng Panginoon. Kasama po ang walang sawang suporta na ibinibigay sa atin ni Bro. Eli Soriano at lahat ng mga kasama sa Members Church of God International (All of these would not be possible first and foremost without the help and mercy of God. Together with the unending support of Bro. Eli Soriano and Members Church of God International),” said Razon.

Bro. Eli Soriano, the Presiding Minister of MCGI, has been the primary sponsor of UNTV Cup since its inauguration in 2013.

Aside from UNTV Cup, MCGI is also the pioneer of all free public services such as Libreng Sakay which features free rides to commuters in the metropolis; Clinic ni Kuya and free medical missions which goes to every town and provinces in the country; Law Center ni Kuya which offers free legal advice to clients; the La Verdad Christian College that caters full scholarship to the underprivileged and many more.

Kuya Daniel Receives Recognition

League Commissioner Atoy Co and Assistant Commissioner Ed Cordero together with the PBA Legends have given Kuya Daniel a plaque of appreciation for his continuous support to the organization.

“I feel so humbled na hindi ko po alam papaano ko tatanggapin because ang totoo po kapag may ganoong recognition, talagang nakakapanliit dahil alam natin na hindi tayo makakagawa ng kahit ano pa man kung hindi sa tulong at awa ng Panginoon (I feel so humbled. I don’t even know how to accept this kind of recognition, it’s really humbling due to the fact that we all know we cannot do anything without the help and mercy of God),” stressed Kuya Daniel.

The award-winning journalist also pioneered the first News and Rescue media organization with the tagline “Tulong Muna Bago Balita” and the first to introduce drone journalism in the country.

Kuya Daniel is also the youngest recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas for his innovations in the media industry.

Read: Kuya Daniel Razon Receives KBP Lifetime Achievement Award of 2017

Written by John Kenneth Jaramilla