MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) star Abet Guidaben, who played for the fabled Crispa Redmanizers in the 80’s, is seriously ill and currently confined at a New Jersey hospital.

According to a report by Ronnie Nathanielsz in Philboxing.com, the 6-foot-5 Guidaben is suffering from “Myasthenia Gravis” and has been in an intensive care unit (ICU) for the past 8 days.

The report said Guidaben, who won Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors in 1983 and 1987, has difficulty speaking and swallowing. He also suffers from double vision.

Former PBA player Abe King, president of the PBA Legends USA Foundation, said through its secretary-general Ruddy Ignacio that Guidaben was showing symptoms of the disease when he attended the foundation’s benefit game in Chicago last June 19.

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal muscles of the body. Symptoms include muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, slurred speech and nasal voice.

Guidaben’s wife, Maridol, has reportedly applied for government assistance for the continued hospitalization of her husband because their insurance is insufficient to cover the medical costs.

King and his colleagues in the foundation are now planning a benefit basketball game in Los Angeles, featuring PBA Legends residing in the USA, to raise funds for Guidaben’s needs.

Aside from prayers for Guidaben’s recovery, King has requested financial assistance to help the ailing ex-PBA star.