The Philippine Superliga highlighted the importance of charity and the spirit of sportsmanship among the country’s elite athletes in the opening ceremony of the 2017 All-Filipino Conference, Saturday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Long jump specialist Katherine Kaye Santos, student-athletes from the De La Salle University, and members of the national table tennis team personally spearheaded the solicitation of donations for the medical funds of Ian Lariba, the Rio Olympics paddler diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
PSL president Ramon Suzara said this is the perfect time for the Philippine sporting community to rally behind Lariba and help her overcome the biggest challenge of her life.
“We are one with the sports community in helping Ian Lariba overcome the biggest battle of her life,” said Suzara, adding that the league has already donated half of its ticket sales of its first two play dates to Lariba’s medical fund.
“We wanted to send a statement that the PSL is more than just volleyball. We are also doing our share by giving it back to the sports community, especially to Ian Lariba.”
PSL chairman Philip Ella Juico lauded the gesture of Santos and the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association, saying that it only shows solidarity among Filipino athletes in this trying time for their peer.
“This is the perfect time to show that we also care for the athletes who made us proud,” shared Juico.
