July 18, 2011

NBA ALL-STARS FEVER TO HIT MANILA THIS WEEKEND

After a long, long time, the dream has come into reality. In the biggest NBA event since the 1979 NBA finalists Washington Bullets (now Wizards) played a lone game against a PBA selection bolstered by imports some 32 years ago, and the 32-man NBA barnstorming group that played a mini-series in 1975, certified NBA stars are set to see action in the two-game Smart Ultimate All-Star Weekend on July 23 and 24 at the Araneta Coliseum. A crack eight man squad led by 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and another MVP (2008) Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, will play the PBA all-Filipino selection on Saturday and the Smart Gilas National team on Sunday. Completing the NBA all-stars are former rookie of the year winners Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets and Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, Lakers veteran warrior Derek Fisher, young stars James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers exciting big man DeAndre Jordan and the second pick over-all in the 2011 NBA rookie Draft, Derrick Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bryant will act as playing coach of the team. Business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan’s MVP Sports Foundation is behind this once in a lifetime thrill for pinoy cage buffs. MVPSF official Al Panlilio says it took them many sleepless nights to make this event happen, according to the PhilStar.

“We’re proud to announce that a select group of superstars are coming over to play our own PBA All-Star selection and Smart Gilas Pilipinas in a couple of dream matches. We’ve had sleepless nights and we’re really glad this will happen.”

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