UFO league gets financial assistance from Budweiser

The Budweiser-Coca Cola 6th UFO Inter-Organizational Basketball League got a huge boost Thursday afternoon after receiving financial assistance from one of the league’s major sponsors.

MARPAC marketing manager Jojo Camacho explained that the company jumped at the opportunity to assist the UFO due to the organization’s community service projects.

“It’s basically us helping the community but channeling it through UFO,” Camacho said. “They approached us and asked us for support and enlightened us about the things they’re doing for the community, so we’ll assist them in helping the community.”

Camacho further stressed that despite the organization being called “United Filipino Organization,” its community projects are not focused on benefiting just the Filipino community.

“They’re not just centered on the Filipino community. For example, they’re renovating the Civic Center Basketball Court, and that’s for everybody’s benefit.”

UFO president Roland Pamintuan was among those present at the MARPAC headquarters in Gualo Rai to receive the $2,500 check and expressed his appreciation to the company for their generous support.

“We’re working on several projects that will benefit the people as a away for us to give back to the community, and none of our projects will be made possible without generous sponsors such as Budweiser,” Pamintuan said. “Their support goes a long way.”

Also accompanying Pamintuan were UFO officials Boy Ching, Nelida Atalig, Flor A. Miranda, and Ruby Pamintuan.

Aside from the renovation of the Civic Center Basketball Court, the UFO has also assisted various programs such as the Back 2 School 3-on-3 Basketball Jam, and has donated to charities such as the American Red Cross.

Meanwhile, the UFO league continues to get interesting as weeks go by as only six teams, all with 2-0 records in the cross-over playoffs, remain in the hunt for this year’s coveted title.

All six teams will see action today with LIPS-Mobil taking on Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense-Flor A. Miranda at 4pm. Defending champion Visminda-Tambayan/Nel Atalig faces NAMFREL-Region V/Sabungero at 5:30pm, while Cabalen-RP Construction/Transamerica battles Cavite-Country House at 7pm.

None of the teams will be eliminated from play as rules explained that only teams that lose twice will be eliminated.

Teams already eliminated include MDX Amateur Radio Club-Armatech, SMF-Shell, CNMI POWER-Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, 287 Club-McDonald’s, Bayani-HBR International, and Bibak-Island Card, who lost their first two attempts in the crossover playoffs.

Starting today, the UFO cage league will also be awarding Best Player of the Game plums for the rest of the playoffs and finals. Itsukan is sponsoring the award and the winners will receive gift certificates (lunch for two) from the newly opened restaurant located in Gualo Rai beside First Hawaiian Bank.