There’s likely a better chance to see good basketball players among actors playing an exhibition game than find competent acts in real hardcourt stars trying to score in showbiz. That seemed to be the prevailing idea at the Mall of Asia’s Music Hall one recent night when celebrities showcased their skill playing the country’s most favorite sport via the Pharmaton Celebrity Basketball League.

A number of mostly familiar faces graced the invite, wore baskteball uniforms and put themselves on the court to the delight of mall shoppers who watched the game. Present that day (first of a series of friendly games) were Polo Ravales, Antonio Aquitania, Carlos Morales, Jayson Gainza, James Blanco, Archie Alemania, Jon Hall, and Marco Alcaraz. These movie and TV personalities were grouped into two and played the 3-on-3, half-court set challenge, with most of the participants seriously playing as opposed to just showing off and turning the game into a comedy show.

Interestingly, the game was played just hours after the latest batch of PBA players representing the country in an international tournament got beaten by Jordanians (81-70) – a setback enough to dash the nation’s hope of joining the World Basketball competition next year in Turkey.

Asked about his feelings on the National Team’s loss, Polo expressed, “Kulang talaga tayo sa malaki. Sayang, pero there’s still hope na mag-improve ang Philippine team. Hindi naman ako nawawalan ng pag-asa about dun.”

A Kapuso star who has appeared in some of the network’s most watched TV series, Polo shared that becoming a basketball star was once his dream and that he is playing basketball on a regular basis. His team incidentally won that day by about a dozen margin.

According to Group Brand Manager Maureen Calderon-Javier, the Celebrity Basketball League is a series of friendly basketball exhibition matches aimed at encouraging healthier lifestyles through play and exercise. Pharmaton, in relation, is the popular energy-giving multivitamins “where physical and mental potency is required.”

The celebrity game at MOA saw some slashing drives, carefully thrown long shots that sometimes hit nothing but net, and tight defense. In one instance, TV host Archie Alemania tried throwing a punchline by comically complaining to the referee.

Two more celebrity games were played last Aug. 29 (SM Sucat), and Aug. 30 (SM Marikina).

Pharmaton Brand Manager Gutzee Segura told the Manila Bulletin that the celebrity selection is actually a list of volunteers whose love for playing basketball make them include the sport in their routine.

Promos came by in line with the series: The “Shoot It, Win It,” “Price Slam Promo,” “Gadget Win It Promo,” and “Text Raffle Promo.” The first allowed consumers (buying a minimum of 10 Pharmaton capsules) to play mini-games for a chance to win items; the second offered a discount coupon for every 15-capsule purchase. A Pharmaton sports bottle awaited a customer who found a “Gadget Win It” sticker, while mere joining the raffle was a shot at winning MacBook Air, I-phone, Sony Bravia LCD TV and Sony Digital Camcorder.