MANILA – November 20, 2013 – Joining the swarm of donors that rallied together to support the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, the LA Lakers presented a check of $150,000 to the Junior NBA-Alaska All-Star Team as their contribution to the on-going Yolanda relief operations.
According to Alaska Milk Corporation, The LA Lakers made the donation last November 15 during the quarter break of their game versus the Memphis Grizzlies at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant himself presented the check to the team.
The donation from the LA Lakers will be turned over to the Philippine Red Cross.
The Juniors team was in Los Angeles for the Jr. NBA-Alaska program, a series of basketball clinics in schools nationwide, culminating in a National Training Camp, and then a five-day to Los Angeles to meet the Lakers.
The program is a partnership between the Jr. NBA and Alaska Milk, whose PBA team, the Alaska Aces, has won 14 championships in the league, including the Grand Slam and Philippine Centennial Cup champions.
Together with the All-Star team, the Alaska Coach of the Year also joined the young players. This year’s Coach of the Year is from Bukidnon.
Earlier, the National Basketball Association (NBA) had made a donation of $250,000 to World Vision.
"The opportunity to come face-to-face and talk with Kobe Bryant was a once-in-a-lifetime, amazing moment, but more importantly it was inspiring because the LA Lakers were there to support and aid our kababayans," said an Alaska Milk representative.
"It’s something that doesn’t happen everyday. We are very happy and grateful for their gesture of support to our country. We know that NBA cares," Alaska said.
Photo from the official Jr. NBA Facebook page
