Phoenix lines up 3 major events

THE PBA Commissioners Cup game between Philippine Cup finalist Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters and Air21 Express on March 5 at the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) Gym is the first of the three major sporting events to be staged by Phoenix Fuel Petroleum Philippines Inc. for the upcoming Araw ng Dabaw Festival celebration.

The PBA Phoenix on Tour game is also the first to be held in Davao City since previous matches were held at the Panabo City Gym. Davao del Sur also had its chance of hosting a game of the country's premier professional league in December last year.

Mindanaoans will get the chance to witness the game with tickets pegged at P300 for upper box, P600 for lower box and P1,000 for ring side. Tickets are available at Dencio's SM Davao, NCCC Mall and Tagum branches and also at Phoenix Acacia and Phoenix Lanang.

Phoenix assistant vice president for corporate affairs lawyer Raymond T. Zorrilla said a total of P3 million budget was earmarked for the three events that also include the Araw ng Dabaw 3rd Phoenix Open set on March 12 at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and CountryClub and the Araw ng Dabaw Phoenix Run 2011 Takbo Para sa Kinabookasan that will kick off at Roxas Avenue fronting Ateneo de Davao University.

"These events are Phoenix' way of giving back to the community we serve as our corporate social responsibility. These events will benefit the Phoenix Philippines Foundation's various programs like livelihood, poverty alleviation and education, among others," Zorrilla said during a press launch at the new Claude's Cafe and Restaurant on Friday.

He said the company has already allocated budget for its different charities whether or not the three events will earn or not.

PPPI corporate affairs manager Ben Sur also said Phoenix, being a homegrown company, wants to support the city on its founding anniversary celebration.

"We are giving Dabawenyos something to watch out for and enjoy the Araw ng Dabaw Festival," Sur said.

Race director Kenneth Sai of Vantage Sports Promotions, meanwhile, said they hope to surpass last year's turnout of 2,800 participants in this year's edition of the run that will have the 21K, 10K, 5K and 3K categories.

"The 21K event will serve as qualifying for the selection of the Team Phoenix set to compete in selected international marathons including the Camarines Sur International Marathon in September," Sai said.

The 21K and 10K will also feature age-group categories where the top finishers will win Adidas gift certificates and medals.

The golf tournament offers P1 million cash and a luxury car as hole-in-one prizes. Organizer Liloh Evangelista said the tournament will limit participants to 250.