PBA stars, Olympian back 1Pacman bid

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SCOTTIE Thompson and Jayson Castro got a lot of help before realizing their dreams in the pro league.

Coming from virtually nothing, they worked hard and persevered, and aided by people who extended helping hands, they are now enjoying well-decorated careers.

It’s now their turn to give back.

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Knowing that helping aspiring young athletes could go a long way, Thompson and Castro, along with Filipino-Ivorian Olympian Maxine Esteban, have partnered with 1Pacman Partylist to support potential stars of Philippine sports.

“They’re into sports. Alam natin, sa Pilipinas, sobrang need natin ng support sa sports, not just basketball, not just Gilas, but all kinds of sports na talagang tutulungan natin para umunlad,” Thompson said of 1Pacman led by Capita1 co-owner and first nominee Milka Romero

The Barangay Ginebra guard, like 1Pacman, has advocated helping the youth, especially in less privileged areas, like what Esteban did in getting the support of Romero in helping athletes from Olongapo who took part in last year’s Batang Pinoy.

“I think kasama na sa generation natin ngayon, alam naman natin na as long as tumutulong and as long as doing the right way, ‘yung intentions nila maganda para sa sports so truly blessed ‘yung mga athletes na may mga ganun, tumutulong para sa amin,” added the one-time PBA MVP.

For Castro, helping and supporting young athletes is an advocacy very close to his heart. He was once at the receiving end of those kind gestures, particularly from incumbent 1Pacman representative Mikee Romero.

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

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

“Maraming mga athlete na less privileged na hindi nabibigyan 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.

Although it is Mikee’s daughter, Milka, now leading the charge for 1Pacman, Castro is confident they will continue to be a boost to Philippine sports particularly in grassroots and the further empowerment of women in sports.

“Kung makikita mo before, hindi gano’n popular ‘yung women in sports. So ngayon at least ‘yung PVL, volleyball, football, mga ibang sports pa na sa mga women, at least nabibigyan na ng boses, nakikita na and nasa-showcase nila ‘yung talent nila, malaking bagay ‘yun,” said Castro

“At least through Congressman Mikee, ngayon na si Milka, sana mas maraming patulungan silang matulungan,” he added.

Esteban said: “It’s really my advocacy kasi kahit naman di ako pinalad na ma-represent ‘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.”

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