Expect a battle royale when the PBA-backed Powerade Team Pilipinas collide with all-amateur Smart-Gilas team today in a benefit game billed “Pinoy Basketbol, Kakampi N’yo!” for the victims of the recent tropical storm “Ondoy.”

The game between the two national teams is set at 7 p.m., right after the 5 p.m. game between the NCAA/UAAP selection and the Philippine Basketball League (PBL)/Liga Pilipinas squad at the Araneta Coliseum.

The benefit games already collected P1.3 million following donations of P500,000 each from SBP president and PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, and Batang Pier Foundation of Harbour Centre CEO Mikee Romero, and P300, 000 from Smart Sports.

The winning teams will receive P100,000, while losing squads will get P50,000. Prizes will be donated in the name of the winning teams and add to the charity fund together with the ticket sales at the Big Dome.

The charity event, which will continue to accept donations in cash and in kind, is a joint venture of the SBP, PBA, NCAA, UAAP, PBL and Liga Pilipinas. Donations will be given to the ABS-CBN Foundation and GMA Kapuso Foundation.

Powerade head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao said that it’s going to be an interesting game against Gilas, a team supported by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) preparing for various international tournaments.

The Burger King mentor called the shots for Powerade that placed eight in the previous FIBA-Asia Championship in Tianjin, China, probably the last all-pro national team since the SBP has taken over in forming the RP Team starting with Gilas.

Now, Guiao will have his chance – even in an exhibition game – against Gilas of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.

“Kapag nandiyan na iyan laban na yan,” said Guiao, who also criticized the SBP in the past with the hiring of a foreign coach in Toroman. “Alam naman natin na walang magbibigay d’yan eh.”

“It’s only an exhibition game, but it comes down to everybody wants to win. We want to be competitive against a great team,” said Toroman, who signed a three-year contract with the SBP to be the Project Director of Gilas.

Aside from controversial Japeth Aguilar, also playing for Gilas are American import CJ Giles, reigning UAAP MVP Dylan Ababou of UST, FEU’s Mark Barroca, JR Cawaling and Aldrech Ramos, Ateneo’s , Chris Tiu, La Salle’s JV Casio and former NCAA MVP Jason Ballesteros of San Sebastian College.

On the other hand, invited to play for PowerAde are Jayjay Helterbrand, Asi Taulava, Willie Miller, James Yap, Kerby Raymundo, Gabe Norwood, Cyrus Baguio, Jared Dillinger, Mick Pennisi, Arwind Santos, Sonny Thoss, Ranidel de Ocampo, Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes and Wynne Arboleda.