PHILIPPINE Basketball Association (PBA) Chairman Ricky Vargas didn’t allow another Day of Valor simply pass by and dared China to a basketball friendly during these times when the Covid-19 pandemic continue to sow havoc and the Chinese government remaining persistent in its claim on the West Philippine Sea.
Vargas, in his fourth term as PBA chairman, proposed a best-of-seven Philippines vs China friendly series and asked NLEX Head Coach Yeng Guiao to immediately form a PBA selection.
“It’s Araw ng Kagitingan and my wish is a best-of-seven Philippine Sea Cup Championship between China and select players from the PBA warriors to be coached by Yeng Guiao,” said Vargas, a former president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and grandson of the late Jorge Vargas, cofounder of the POC’s forerunner, the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation.
“I’ll join him [Guiao] in the friendlies,” Vargas said.
Araw ng Kagitingan or National Day of Valor is celebrated every April 9 to commemorate the Fall of Bataan during World War II that resulted to the infamous Death March. The holiday is also known as Bataan Day.
On Friday, Vargas made sure it was a day of valor.
“We need to give our people inspiration and hope,” said the TNT Tropang Giga governor, who added that the exhibition duel also aims to jump-start the PBA’s 46th season that was shuttered by the extension of the enhanced community quarantine.
“My wish is to get the season started. Get players vaccinated, heal our country,” he said. “A call for unity and no one will be left behind. Ready to sacrifice today for a stronger PBA.”
He added: “Let’s show compassion. We will pivot, transform, deliver and perform. Let’s continue the fight, no retreat.”
Vargas was so passionate about the duel that the venue is the least of all concerns.
“We could hold the games either in open air or on a cement court,” he said.
Guiao, the league chairman stressed, is best fitted for the job.
“He [Guiao] would be perfect to lead a courageous charge for national pride and honor,” Vargas said.
Guiao accepted the task like a loyal soldier.
“I’m okay with that anywhere. I will accept that,” Guiao said. “I don’t like being bullied in our own territory so I cannot backout on that.”
“But I am not a soldier so basketball is the best way to contribute and I will just wait for instructions,” he added.
Vargas instructed league officials to draw the series’ format that could possible be a home-and-away duel. He called out on his fellow PBA governors, who he said are “all aching to give PBA fans something to cheer about in this time of great challenge.”
“Thank you governors for your unrelenting support and concern for the league and its fans,” he said. “Let’s get the ball rolling as soon as possible.”
Vargas also said the first order of business is to “get all the players vaccinated as part of the country’s healing process.”