Marbury back for charity game with Asi, PBA stars

MANILA, Philippines - Former NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury return last night for a charity basketball game dubbed “A Day of Love: Stephon Marbury Gives Back” today at the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies in Pasay City.

The proceeds of the fund-raiser, which features a game between Team RockStar that included no less than reigning Asean Basketball League MVP Asi Taulava and Barako Bull mainstays scheduled at 7 p.m., will go to poor kids with Biliary Atresia, or a lethal liver disease that immediately needs a transplant under the Ahon Pamilyang Lansangan Foundation.

“I am a parent, I have three kids. I can only imagine what they (parents) are going through seeing their children suffer like that. I will help as many people as I can, in what little way I can,” said Marbury, who came from Seoul, Korea, in a press statement.

“When you show love you get love in abundance. I can’t wait to play in front of my Filipino fans and raise money which I know will go for a good cause.”

“I support FIBA, I support the Philippine national basketball team. Other basketball events can wait, but can the [liver] patients wait? Time is of the essence, these children need all the help they can get in a short period of time so they can have the transplant,” he added.

It marked the second time this year that Marbury has visited the country after last June to promote his brand of shoe named Starbury.

Also set to participate in the charity event are Dondon Hontiveros, Ronald Tubid, Dorian Peña, Willie Miller, Alex Crisano, Chris Ross, Billy Mamaril, Ren Ren Ritualo, Dorian Pena, Harvey Carey and Jay Jay Helterbrand while Sol Mercado will be there as an assistant coach.

ABL standouts Leo Avenido and Jai Reyes are also suiting up for Team RockStar alongside some of the country sportswriters that topped this year’s National Press Club inter-beat tournament.

Tickets are priced from P200 to P500 at the venue gates the day of the game.