Former players of the Negros Basketball Association (NBA) are set to relive both the glory days and the struggles of the past as they reunite for the first-ever AcroCity Presents NBA Legends Cup on Saturday, February 22, in Bacolod City.
Organized by NBA alumni now based abroad—Victor Villarias, Jun Locsin, Mike Mustre, Freche Ang, and Django Rivera—alongside John Imperio and Bong Palo, the event has generated immense excitement. A packed crowd is expected at the Po Hang Gym of Tay Tung School to witness the return of these basketball veterans.
Adding star power to the occasion are former PBA standouts Noli Locsin (Ginebra) and Bong Ravena, while 1998 PBA MVP Kenneth Duremdes, an Ilonggo from Koronadal City, has also been invited to join the festivities.
With nearly 100 players ready to defy Father Time, organizers have divided them into four teams, ensuring an entire day filled with nostalgia, competition, and camaraderie.
The tournament tips off at 11:00 a.m., with Team Bascon-Apir facing Team MKU-QGo-AcroCity, followed by Team Azcona-Sapporo taking on Team Espino at 12:15 p.m. The winners will battle for the championship at 2:45 p.m.
“We know how passionate these players were during their prime, so we fully support their efforts to give back to the community and their long-time supporters,” said Angelo Wongchuking, executive vice president of Czark Mak Group, the developer behind AcroCity, a fast-growing development in Bulacan and Central Luzon.
“This is a great initiative, bringing former NBA teammates and rivals together to reminisce about both the good and tough times of their playing years,” added CZM Director Keith Wongchuking.
Leading Team Azcona-Sapporo are Locsin and Duremdes, joined by the Villarias brothers, Vernie and Victor. Nap Hatton, Dongking Sasuman, and Leo Bat-og will spearhead Team MKU-QGo-AcroCity, while Peewee Demonteverde and Teruel Ahmit will anchor Team Bascon-Apir. Rex Bayer, Nene Paderog, and Sarian Ordas headline Team Espino-CSA B-Upgrade.
With seasoned veterans like Reul Bravo, Arnold Gamboa, and Nonoy Pido, the Locsin-Duremdes squad is shaping up as the sentimental favorite to win it all.
The event will also pay tribute to the founding officials of the Negros Basketball Association, led by the late Dodong Bascon.
As part of their “giving back” initiative, the reunion games will be free and open to the public.
