Before the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup kicked off, Vigan Wolves playing owner Christian Singson made a declaration.
“So, sa labas ng court tropa tayo. Pero sa loob, magkalaban tayo.”
And he took it to a whole new level last weekend.
Two of the Valenzuela Classic players in Paulo Hubalde and Chris De Chavez had just played a road game in Zamboanga last Saturday — picking up a 79-72 upset of the GenSan Knights in the MPBL.
But at around six ‘o clock in the morning, they were still stranded in Zamboanga.
“Dapat yung flight namin six in the morning pero di kami umabot for some reason. We went to the airport at around 4:30 then waited until six pero wala ng flights,” recalled Classic guard Paulo Hubalde.
“Wala pa kaming tulog nun since we finished yung game namin at around ten in the evening.”
Valenzuela needed to get to the SM Megamall Events Center by 1:00pm as they are set to compete in the second leg of the 2019 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas President’s Cup.
Panicking, Hubalde and De Chavez went to Vigan owner Christian Singson who was also in Zamboanga to catch some MPBL action.
“So we went to Christian if he could help us out.”
Though Valenzuela and Vigan were slotted in Pool C for the second tour, Singson did not turn a blind eye to the two cagers, immediately asking his dad Chavit for help.
“I’m really good friends with the Valenzuela players outside the court. Not just the players but also the owners,” shared the 22-year-old Singson. “In the MPBL and in Chooks, they are one of my closest buddies.
“When I saw them in trouble, I decided to help so they can reach their game, which was against us! So I called my dad if he can lend us his jet and he immediately said yes.”
“He immediately called his dad’s staff. So we waited for Boss Chavit to wake up. When his dad called up, he said that he will be there by ten. And he arrived with his private jet,” gushed Hubalde.
There was a slight delay however as the Singsons had to drop MPBL league owner Manny Pacquiao first in Cebu. But that flight was something Hubalde and De Chavez will cherish for the rest of their lives.
“Being with Boss Chavit and Boss Manny was really a great experience for us.
“We dropped Boss Manny first to Cebu. Then from Cebu, we headed to Manila,” narrated Hubalde.
The duo was able to join Mac Andaya and Jan Jamon at around 2:00 pm. However, the Classic had to forfeit their first game of the day against the Bacoor Strikers.
Then came the epic showdown between Vigan and Valenzuela that saw Hubalde knock down the game-winner to salvage a win in the second leg.
And that was what Singson wanted — to see his friends and his team put on a show.
“It didn’t cross my mind not to help them. Hindi tayo ganun e. I really wanted to face them inside the court to see who is better. It’s still a competition and I saw them really eager to play,” said Singson.
“In the end, it was a good fight. We lost and they got us. Deep down, I was happy for them when they were celebrating. That is what 3×3 is all about.”
For Hubalde, this is a testament to the character of the young Singson. That whatever happens on the court, stays on the court.
“Bait ni Christian to think na kami pa ang kalaban niya ha. To ask his dad for that huge favor is a very big thing sa amin.”
