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Saturday, July 23, 2011
The basketball team of the Stars are in town this weekend has to be the most brilliant line ever assembled NBA to play in Manila. Kobe Bryant was the MVP in 2009 and 2010 finals and has five championship rings with the Lakers in Los Angeles. Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans was the Rookie of the Year. Rose was named MVP of last season, the youngest to win the award. Durant was the MVP of the FIBA World Championship last year and led the NBA in scoring the past two years. Paul is the fifth player in history to top the NBA in assists and steals in the same year and has done so twice. CP3 was a thief in the league in 2008, 2009 and 2011.
Derek Fisher, like Bryant, owner of five rings title and will forever be known as Mr. 0. 4 to 1 Lakers jersey commemorating its 18 meters Swisher to win Game 5 of the 2004 Conference semifinals against San Antonio West with 0.4 of a second left was a huge seller. Derrick Williams was this year, second-round draft pick and is expected to enjoy an auspicious debut in this season - whenever it starts. James Harden was one of four players from Oklahoma City to average double digits last season, joining Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green, and has only 21. Finally, there is the Washington Wizards center JaVale McGee, seven feet pedigree (his mother, Pam played on championship teams in the Olympic Games and NCAA) and back (who published his first career triple-double in March).
Remarkably, all nine active players in the pros. None was removed. If not for the blockade, would probably be impossible to bring together players under one roof for two games in two nights in an Asian country some 10,000 miles from home. We could be so lucky.
* * * *
The first high-caliber NBA All-Star team to visit Manila in 1974. Nine players showed up to play against the Philippine national team bound for the World Championships in Puerto Rico. Among the players were legend Elgin Baylor, Eddie (The Man with the Golden Arm) Miles, Elvin (The Big E) Hayes, Gail Goodrich, Geoff Petrie and Calvin Murphy. A year later, Walt Frazier brought a cast of 32 players for a summer tour that had visitors coming and going from a total of 12 games. Small players including Archibald, Scott Wedman, Mike Bantom, Hank Bibby, Lucius Allen, Charlie Scott, Jim Cleamons, George McGinnis, Randy Smith, Bob Love, Ron Behague, Drew John and Lucius Allen. NBA referee Richie Powers Two Jake O'Donnell and even accompanied the guests.
In 1979, the Washington Bullets invaded Manila and played a show before an overflow crowd at the Araneta Coliseum. Motto coach Dick came with just eight players - Hayes, Wes Unseld, Kevin Porter, Roger Phegley, Greg Ballard, Steve Malovic, Dave Corzine and Andrew Parker - but that was enough to crush a selection PBA, 133-123. PBA team consists of Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Philip Cezar, Tuadles Arnie, Atoy Co, Sullana Jesse, Rudy Kutch and imports Cyrus Mann, Larry McDonald pounds Glenn, Larry McNeill and Dean Tolson. Fernandez scored 21 points, while Porter, who later would end his playing career as a PBA import with Toyota, delivered 31 points and 25 assists.
In 1980, the first and only NBA player Fil-Am Raymond Townsend, UCLA visited with his father Ray, father, mother, Virginia Marella of Balayan, Batangas, brother Kurtis (University of Kansas assistant coach since 2004) and three sisters. Townsend brought the NBA players Jamaal Wilkes, Ray Cliff, Derrick Dickey Lee and Greg to play exhibitions in Manila, Cebu and Olongapo. In 1984, the NBA "legends" squad to come here to play the Philippine team. The "legends" were former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson, Earl (The Pearl) Monroe, Rick Barry, Pistol Pete Maravich, Dennis Awtrey, Mel (Killer) Davis, Cazzie Russell, Connie Hawkins and Fred Brown Jr. Only eight players suited when the "legends" team defeated coach Pilo Pumar, 84-77. Maravich did not play due to a vague stomach. The national team was bannered by Hector Calma, Naning Valenciano, Elmer Reyes, Tonichi Yturria, Alfie Almario, Yves Dignadice, Jeff Moore, Dennis and Chip Engelland yet (now San Antonio Spurs assistant coach).
In 1987, NBA coaches Lenny Wilkens and Bernie Bickerstaff took a group of 15 players, a rookie recruits, coaches and referees two of two to play a series of exhibitions here. The cagers included Adrian Dantley, brand Eaton, Jerome Kersey, Tom Chambers, Alvin Robertson and Tim McCormick. The games, however, did not materialize due to a coup attempt to overthrow the government. The group stayed in Manila NBA four days and left without playing a single game. In 1995, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played in an exhibition of 40 minutes in the dome with NBA veterans Lester Conner, Farmer, Jim, Mike McGee, John Williams, Reggie Fox and Long John. Two years later, Shaquille O'Neal led a group of basketball players, including Chris Gatling, Duane Cooper and Hawkins Joaquin, in crushing a PBA team, 107-68, in the great dome. PBA team list Alvin Patrimonio, Johnny Abarrientos, Jeff Cariaso, Marlou Aquino, Dennis Espino and Bonel Balingit.
In 2006, Dennis Rodman led a cast that included Darryl Dawkins, Murphy, Alex English, Otis Birdsong and Sidney Moncrief to play two exhibition games at the Araneta Coliseum. The tour created an emotional upheaval when the estranged father Philander Rodman, who lives in Angeles City, appeared in court to get his son. Rodman father abandoned his wife and three children, when the worm was only three years old.
Through the years, several NBA stars and coaches have come to Manila in the promotion or holiday visits. Abdul-Jabbar was here for two days in 1973 on a holiday very secret, after attending the funeral of his friend Bruce Lee in Hong Kong. In 1979, Bill Walton came to accompany a team of ABC-TV filmed a segment for the series "American Sportsman" on the baby monkey eating eagle is in the city of Davao. Walton was in town for two weeks and held it in a basketball clinic for the PBA team Gilbey gin. In 1981, Abdul-Jabbar was back to conduct youth clinics at the University of Sto. Tomas Magnolia gym. Kareem was scheduled to serve as celebrity judge at the Miss International Beauty Young during his trip, but on the day of the competition, flew unannounced to the organizers. In 1986, Kevin Johnson, now the mayor of the city of Sacramento, came to promote Converse in Manila. In 1987, AC Green visited by the League of Champions for Christ movement. He has since returned three times. In 1995, the Lakers guard and team trainer Gary Vitti Mike Cooper conducted basketball clinics in Manila for Gatorade.
Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Sebastian Telfair, Gilbert Arenas, Tim Thomas, Dave Jamerson, Steve Burtt, Grant Hill, BJ Armstrong, Dwight Howard, Luke Walton, Chris Webber, Gary Payton, Mitch Richmond, Glen Rice, Malik Rose and Paul Pierce There were others who have toured Manila. NBA referees Manny Sokol, capers Jim Jones and Lee also approached Darrell Garretson. Jones Capers and even worked some PBA games during a lecture tour. Engelland and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra have visited, too. Spoelstra must be re-adjustment program to promote the NBA next week after the visits in the last two years.
Filipinos' passion for basketball is offered to NBA players in the Philippines - is a passion that is shared. Never mind that full-blooded Filipino has played in the NBA. The love of the game will never die and dream that some day a Filipino in the NBA or a filipino owning a franchise in the NBA life.
Derek Fisher, like Bryant, owner of five rings title and will forever be known as Mr. 0. 4 to 1 Lakers jersey commemorating its 18 meters Swisher to win Game 5 of the 2004 Conference semifinals against San Antonio West with 0.4 of a second left was a huge seller. Derrick Williams was this year, second-round draft pick and is expected to enjoy an auspicious debut in this season - whenever it starts. James Harden was one of four players from Oklahoma City to average double digits last season, joining Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green, and has only 21. Finally, there is the Washington Wizards center JaVale McGee, seven feet pedigree (his mother, Pam played on championship teams in the Olympic Games and NCAA) and back (who published his first career triple-double in March).
Remarkably, all nine active players in the pros. None was removed. If not for the blockade, would probably be impossible to bring together players under one roof for two games in two nights in an Asian country some 10,000 miles from home. We could be so lucky.
* * * *
The first high-caliber NBA All-Star team to visit Manila in 1974. Nine players showed up to play against the Philippine national team bound for the World Championships in Puerto Rico. Among the players were legend Elgin Baylor, Eddie (The Man with the Golden Arm) Miles, Elvin (The Big E) Hayes, Gail Goodrich, Geoff Petrie and Calvin Murphy. A year later, Walt Frazier brought a cast of 32 players for a summer tour that had visitors coming and going from a total of 12 games. Small players including Archibald, Scott Wedman, Mike Bantom, Hank Bibby, Lucius Allen, Charlie Scott, Jim Cleamons, George McGinnis, Randy Smith, Bob Love, Ron Behague, Drew John and Lucius Allen. NBA referee Richie Powers Two Jake O'Donnell and even accompanied the guests.
In 1979, the Washington Bullets invaded Manila and played a show before an overflow crowd at the Araneta Coliseum. Motto coach Dick came with just eight players - Hayes, Wes Unseld, Kevin Porter, Roger Phegley, Greg Ballard, Steve Malovic, Dave Corzine and Andrew Parker - but that was enough to crush a selection PBA, 133-123. PBA team consists of Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Philip Cezar, Tuadles Arnie, Atoy Co, Sullana Jesse, Rudy Kutch and imports Cyrus Mann, Larry McDonald pounds Glenn, Larry McNeill and Dean Tolson. Fernandez scored 21 points, while Porter, who later would end his playing career as a PBA import with Toyota, delivered 31 points and 25 assists.
In 1980, the first and only NBA player Fil-Am Raymond Townsend, UCLA visited with his father Ray, father, mother, Virginia Marella of Balayan, Batangas, brother Kurtis (University of Kansas assistant coach since 2004) and three sisters. Townsend brought the NBA players Jamaal Wilkes, Ray Cliff, Derrick Dickey Lee and Greg to play exhibitions in Manila, Cebu and Olongapo. In 1984, the NBA "legends" squad to come here to play the Philippine team. The "legends" were former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson, Earl (The Pearl) Monroe, Rick Barry, Pistol Pete Maravich, Dennis Awtrey, Mel (Killer) Davis, Cazzie Russell, Connie Hawkins and Fred Brown Jr. Only eight players suited when the "legends" team defeated coach Pilo Pumar, 84-77. Maravich did not play due to a vague stomach. The national team was bannered by Hector Calma, Naning Valenciano, Elmer Reyes, Tonichi Yturria, Alfie Almario, Yves Dignadice, Jeff Moore, Dennis and Chip Engelland yet (now San Antonio Spurs assistant coach).
In 1987, NBA coaches Lenny Wilkens and Bernie Bickerstaff took a group of 15 players, a rookie recruits, coaches and referees two of two to play a series of exhibitions here. The cagers included Adrian Dantley, brand Eaton, Jerome Kersey, Tom Chambers, Alvin Robertson and Tim McCormick. The games, however, did not materialize due to a coup attempt to overthrow the government. The group stayed in Manila NBA four days and left without playing a single game. In 1995, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played in an exhibition of 40 minutes in the dome with NBA veterans Lester Conner, Farmer, Jim, Mike McGee, John Williams, Reggie Fox and Long John. Two years later, Shaquille O'Neal led a group of basketball players, including Chris Gatling, Duane Cooper and Hawkins Joaquin, in crushing a PBA team, 107-68, in the great dome. PBA team list Alvin Patrimonio, Johnny Abarrientos, Jeff Cariaso, Marlou Aquino, Dennis Espino and Bonel Balingit.
In 2006, Dennis Rodman led a cast that included Darryl Dawkins, Murphy, Alex English, Otis Birdsong and Sidney Moncrief to play two exhibition games at the Araneta Coliseum. The tour created an emotional upheaval when the estranged father Philander Rodman, who lives in Angeles City, appeared in court to get his son. Rodman father abandoned his wife and three children, when the worm was only three years old.
Through the years, several NBA stars and coaches have come to Manila in the promotion or holiday visits. Abdul-Jabbar was here for two days in 1973 on a holiday very secret, after attending the funeral of his friend Bruce Lee in Hong Kong. In 1979, Bill Walton came to accompany a team of ABC-TV filmed a segment for the series "American Sportsman" on the baby monkey eating eagle is in the city of Davao. Walton was in town for two weeks and held it in a basketball clinic for the PBA team Gilbey gin. In 1981, Abdul-Jabbar was back to conduct youth clinics at the University of Sto. Tomas Magnolia gym. Kareem was scheduled to serve as celebrity judge at the Miss International Beauty Young during his trip, but on the day of the competition, flew unannounced to the organizers. In 1986, Kevin Johnson, now the mayor of the city of Sacramento, came to promote Converse in Manila. In 1987, AC Green visited by the League of Champions for Christ movement. He has since returned three times. In 1995, the Lakers guard and team trainer Gary Vitti Mike Cooper conducted basketball clinics in Manila for Gatorade.
Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Sebastian Telfair, Gilbert Arenas, Tim Thomas, Dave Jamerson, Steve Burtt, Grant Hill, BJ Armstrong, Dwight Howard, Luke Walton, Chris Webber, Gary Payton, Mitch Richmond, Glen Rice, Malik Rose and Paul Pierce There were others who have toured Manila. NBA referees Manny Sokol, capers Jim Jones and Lee also approached Darrell Garretson. Jones Capers and even worked some PBA games during a lecture tour. Engelland and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra have visited, too. Spoelstra must be re-adjustment program to promote the NBA next week after the visits in the last two years.
Filipinos' passion for basketball is offered to NBA players in the Philippines - is a passion that is shared. Never mind that full-blooded Filipino has played in the NBA. The love of the game will never die and dream that some day a Filipino in the NBA or a filipino owning a franchise in the NBA life.
Labels: Political Affairs
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