Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers Excited to Experience Pinoy Basketball Mania

The Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers are excited about their upcoming trip to Manila for the NBA Global Games Philippines 2013 on October 10.

“There has been a lot of talk about the Filipino passion for basketball from those who have visited and played the game over there. We can’t wait to experience it first-hand,” says Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale. 

George Hill goes one on one against Jeremy Lin

“We’re just excited to come over to play the game and give Filipinos a great show. I’m excited and happy to be back in Manila and see familiar faces. Fan base is amazing over in the Philippines. The crowd is unbelievable,” says James Harden, the Houston Rockets shooting guard who was last here for NBA 3X in July.

No active Indiana Pacers player has ever come to the Philippines before, but former Pacers Sam Perkins who arrived in Manila for the 100 Days Countdown of the NBA Global Games in early July was just as ecstatic about Filipino cage fans’ NBA IQ and enthusiasm.

The Rockets-Pacers game continues the interesting private rivalry between Houston and Indiana. Although the Indiana Pacers have enjoyed recent success against the Rockets – including winning seven of the last nine games in the series – Houston still leads the all-time series, 48-33. The Pacers, however, swept the season series against Houtson in 2012-13, running their winning streak against the Rockets to four straight.

James Harden finds an opening against Paul George of the Indiana Pacers

Perhaps no Pacers player has been as instrumental as Roy Hibbert to Indiana’s current success against the Rockets. Hibbert averaged 20.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks last season against Houston, while playing only 30.5 mpg. Since the Pacers acquired Hibbert in a Draft Day trade in 2008, he has faced the Rockets eight times, averaging 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks; the Pacers are 6-2 in those contests. With Hibbert anchoring Indiana’s defense last season, the Pacers held Houston, which ranked second overall in scoring (106.0 ppg) to 93.0 ppg.

In the teams’ first meeting last season, on Jan. 18, Hibbert scored 12 points on an efficient 6-of-12 from the field, to go along with nine rebounds and three blocks, in a 105-95 victory, as the Pacers won at home for the 11th straight time. All-Star Paul George provided most of the offense by scoring a game-high 31 points. Again, however, it was Indiana’s air-tight defense that proved the difference. With George on the perimeter and Hibbert protecting the rim, the Pacers limited All-Star James Harden to 17 points on 5-of-19 shooting. Harden had entered the game riding a career-best streak of 22 straight games with at least 20 points.

But this is a new season, and a whole different ball game.

For more information about the NBA Global Games, visit NBA.com, www.mallofasia-arena.com, Facebook.com/philsnba and Twitter @NBA_Philippines. 

Harden, Gordon with Aspiring Young Basketball Talents at NBA 3X Philippines 2013 Presented by Sprite

 The DUNK : James Harden, The Pacemates, Grizz and NBA Country Manager to the Philippines, Carlo SIngson give perfect scores to a dunk contest participant.

NBA superstars James Harden and Eric Gordon got a taste of Filipino street ball at its finest yesterday (July 28) at the Finals of NBA3X Philippines 2013 presented by Sprite at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Tent.

From the tip off last Friday until Sunday, NBA players James Harden of the Houston Rockets and Eric Gordon of the New Orleans Pelicans graced the events and interacted with Pinoy basketball fans together with the Indiana Pacemates and Grizz, the mascot of the Memphis Grizzlies. Harden and Gordon signed giveaways and threw them to the crowd, getting squeals of delight from the basketball-loving Pinoys.

The ultimate competitions of the three-day three-on-three basketball tournament – which drew 60,000 fans over three days at the double venue -- was moved to the PICC from the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall Sunday afternoon on account of the rain.

Little boys not quite five feet who were members of the RP Team Thirteen Under and wowed the NBA stars as they heaved shots from two-point country in the U13 division. The very young players of the RP Team were only good for a runner up finish, but their ease with the basketball impressed the NBA talents and the avid basketball crowd.

James Harden gets up on his feet over the unbelievable shot in the U13 division finals between RP 13 Under and Escuela de Sophia

Games featuring media and entertainment celebrities kicked off the Sunday event at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, with SM MOA fans liking the basketball grit and savvy of stars they only see on TV. Team Alcaraz, made up of GMA players Marco Alcaraz, Ervic Vijandre, Jose Sarasola and Jack Corpuz ruled the Celebrity division.

The Women's Under-16 division meanwhile was won by Team CAYS composed of Alexis Aguirre, Leezah Sorallo, Mae Ann Herradura and Jeivie Nama. The National University Lady Bulldogs quartet of Nica Villegas, Jack Danielle Animam, Ana Del Rosario and Kimberly Illut won the U18 division over the JASMS Patriots who failed to show up for the match. The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws -- Mary Angeli Cabochan, Allana May Lim, Marilourd Borja and Karen Columna -- prevailed over Team Mickey, made up mostly of former UP Lady Maroons, in the Girls’ Open, 8-4.

The most exciting game in the Boys' division was the U-13 Finals game won by Escuela de Sophia-1 composed of Saymond Male, Andrei Cariato, Nelle Suminig and Christopher Perio. Their match against RP Thirteen Under went into overtime, as the littlest RP Thirteen Under player connected on a long distance 2-pointer, sending James Harden to his feet due to the excitement.

The Beard loves Pinoy fans.

In the Under-16 division, the triumvirate of former Jr. NBA standout Jan Gabriel Sobrevega, Peter John Rabor and Astrolave Vista of University of Saint La Salle Bacolod dominated the Conquerors, 18-13.

AMA JRS dominated CKSC Blazing Dragons in convincing fashion,  20-7. to take home the Under-18 division crown. The champion team is composed of Clark Quijano, Jayson David, Russel Fuentes and Michael Perez. Besides their prizes for winning the division, the group earned a slot in the Adidas D-Rose Tour series of events on Septmber 15-16 including the D-Rose Tour 3-on-3 Frand Finals. The players will be given Adidas apparel and D-Rose footwear as part of their participation in the D-Rose Tour 3-on-3 Grand Finals.

The Men's Open division finals meanwhile was played between amateur basketball players who were former teammates during their college days. The underdogs EGS Elite pulled a stunner on the favored Blackwater Elite, 21-18. EGS, composed of former NCAA players Rocky Acidre, Mark Doligon and Acidre's younger brother Rutger, overcame Blackwater, the recently crowned champions of the 2013 PBA Developmental League Foundation Cup (D League) composed of Gio Ciriacruz, Robby Celiz, Bacon Austria and Louie Vigil.

NBA 3X 2013 Philippines presented by Sprite was also highlighted by an NBA Cares Activity for Special Olympic Athletes. Eric Gordon, Jr. NBA Head Coach Sefu Bernard and the Indiana Pacemates treated the kids to fun basketball games and drills. Jr. NBA All Stars Alumni dropped by and got the chance to meet Harden and Gordon up close and personal.

High 5's for Eric Gordon

Fan activities at the event like the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest; the Sprite Basketball Clinic; the KFC Bucket 3-point Shootout; the Phoenix Fast Feet Challenge and NBA Half Time enabled fans to join in the fun as well. The PBA’s Tower of Power and only Rookie-MVP Benjie Paras and becoming-just-as-illustrious son Kobe Paras dropped by and caused a happy commotion.

A lucky division champion will win tickets to the 2013 NBA Global Games on October 10, featuring the Houston Rockets and the Indiana Pacers in a preseason match at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The identity of the winning division champions will be announced later.

The Final Regional Selection Camp for Jr. NBA Philippines 2013 presented by Alaska at Aquinas Gym April 13-14

The final regional selection camp for Jr. NBA Philippines 2013 presented by Alaska will be held at the Aquinas Gym in San Juan City today, April 13 starting at 9 a.m.

This is the last chance for 10-14 year old players in the NCR and other provinces to participate in the National Basketball Association’s international grassroots basketball program that has been touring different cities since January this year. The learn-and-achieve camp has been hailed across the country by coaches, parents and students for imparting NBA-style skills tests, basketball drills and the S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect. Camp action starts at 9 a.m. on April 13 and ends April 14.

The program remains completely free in all its stages for local coaches and young Filipino players who want to join the program.

The first day of the RSC is devoted to vitals tests, skills challenges, drills and the selection of the Top 40 performers at the end of the day. The second day involves only the selected Top 40 and consists of more intense drills, conditioning exercises and scrimmages. The young players who will represent the NCR in the National Training Camp which will be held in Manila on April 26 to 28 will be chosen on the afternoon of Day 2 (April 14).

Jr. NBA coaches led by Coach Sefu Bernard, Senior Director of Basketball Operations, NBA Asia and local Jr. NBA coaches led by PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa will evaluate the players based on their vitals tests, skills stations scores and how they exemplify the STAR values.

As many as 19 players may be chosen in Manila to join the National Training Camp and get the chance to be selected as members of the Jr. NBA 2013 All Star Team. The National Training Camp will have 50 participants in all made up of the 6 chosen in Dagupan, the 10 in Davao, the 5 in Lucena, the 10 from the Alaska Power Camp and the 19 in Manila.

The National Training Camp will be an intense three-day boot camp that will be held at the UP Diliman Gym on April 26 and 27 and the SM Mall of Asia on April 28.

A special highlight of the National Training Camp on April 28 besides the announcement of Jr. NBA Philippines All Stars of 2013 is an exhibition game among past Jr. NBA All Stars from 2007 to 2012.

NBA Legend Muggsy Bogues will arrive in Manila for the National Training Camp and will coach Team Muggsy, while PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa will coach the other alumni team called Team Jojo.

The ten Jr. NBA Philippines All Stars of 2013 will be rewarded with an authentic NBA experience later in the year and the chance to play against a counterpart Jr. NBA team abroad. The Jr. NBA Coach of the Year presented by Alaska will also be announced at the National Training Camp.

Registration for the Regional Selection Camp can be made online on the Jr. NBA website www.jrnbaphilippines.com.ph or on site at 8 a.m., before the start of the selection camps.

In addition to Presenting Partner Alaska Powered Milk Drink, Official Partners include the NBA’s official sports drink, Gatorade, Unilever’s flagship brands Rexona and Master as well as new partner Phoenix Petroleum. Returning as Jr. NBA Supporting Partners are KFC and Spalding. Official NBA broadcasters are Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV and Studio 23. Jr. NBA is also supported by the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP).

About Alaska Milk

Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC) is committed to providing nutrition to Filipino households by ensuring high quality standards across its milk brands for almost four decades.  AMC’s leading brand, Alaska Powdered Milk Drink, highlights the importance of nutrition among children during their “growth gap years” (ages 4-12 years old). Since its introduction in 1986, Alaska Powdered Milk’s benefits of building strong bones and bodies as well as character formation is expressed in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle through sports.  Brand Alaska owns and implements the multi-awarded Alaska Power Camp which is held nationwide, offering programs in basketball and football.  Alaska also owns its professional basketball team, the Alaska Aces, a 13-time PBA champion team which is now on its 25th year of inspiring the youth to engage in sports.  Today, Brand Alaska partners with excellent local and international organizations that share the same objectives, vision, and values including the Ironman 70.3, Ironkids, XTerra, Makati Football School, Alabang Football School, and the Philippine Basketball Association.

About the NBA

The NBA is a global sports and media business built around three professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, and the NBA Development League. The league has established a major international presence with games and programming in 215 countries and territories in 47 languages and NBA merchandise for sale in more than 125,000 stores in 100 countries on 6 continents. NBA rosters currently feature 85 international players from 36 countries and territories. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, which is available in more than 61 million U.S. homes, and NBA.com, which averages more than 42 million page views per day, more than half of which originate from outside of North America. The NBA is the No. 1 professional sports league on social media, with more than 380 million likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms. Through NBA Cares, the league and its teams and players have donated more than $210 million to charity, completed more than 2.3 million hours of hands-on community service, and created more than 760 places where kids and families can live, learn, or play.

Jr. NBA All Stars Alumni 2007-2012 in Exhibition Game at National Training Camp on April 28

When the Jr. NBA Philippines 2013 presented by Alaska holds its main event -- the National Training Camp – at SM Mall of Asia on April 28, basketball fans will be treated to a basketball extravaganza starring the acknowledged next generation of outstanding Pinoy basketball players.

The most promising young stars of the UAAP, NCAA and provincial school leagues will pit their talents against each other in an exhibition game featuring Jr. NBA All Stars alumni from 2007 to 2012 who are now suited up for the various collegiate leagues nationwide.

Jr. NBA All Stars alumni bannered by UST Growling Tiger Aljon Mariano, UP Fighting Maroon Henry Asilum, UST junior players John Roald Mayor, Patrick Ramirez, Thristan Laman and Patrick Nigel Go, UE Junior Warriors Itchie Altamirano and Paul Dagunan, NU Bull Pup Hubert Cani, De La Salle Zobel Jr. Archer Aljun Jay Melecio, La Salle Greenhills Greenie Kobe Paras, Ateneo Blue Eaglet Mio Puno, San Sebastian Staglets Carlo Escalambre and RK Ilagan, Jose Rizal Junior Bomber Aldrin Fegidero and Ateneo de Cebu Blue Magis Miguel Competente will see action in the noontime game which will highlight the last day of this year’s National Training Camp.

NBA Legend Muggsy Bogues, who will arrive in Manila to join the Jr. NBA coaching staff at the National Training Camp will coach Team Muggsy while PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa will coach Team Jolas. A players’ draft will be held on April 13 to determine the composition of each team.

This is the first time that a Jr. NBA All Stars Alumni game will be played as part of the Jr. NBA event. “Everybody’s so excited because it is a first for the Jr. NBA. The program has grown and evolved through the years and this new event will show why these young players were chosen as the best of their respective batches, and why they are today’s most promising varsity players in school leagues all over the country,” said Carlo Singson, NBA Asia Country Manager-Philippines.

The National Training Camp is the third and highlight phase of Jr. NBA Philippines 2013 presented by Alaska. Later in the day of April 28, new Jr. NBA All Stars will be selected from a pool of 50 participants aged 10 to 14 years old who stood out in the Regional Selection Camps held in Dagupan, Davao, Lucena, the NCR and the Alaska Power Camp.

The new batch of Jr. NBA All Stars – like the Jr. NBA All Stars Alumni – will be rewarded with an authentic NBA experience abroad plus the chance to play against a counterpart Jr. NBA team there.

This is the sixth consecutive staging of the Jr. NBA in the country.

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About Alaska Milk

Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC) is committed to providing nutrition to Filipino households by ensuring high quality standards across its milk brands for almost four decades.  AMC’s leading brand, Alaska Powdered Milk Drink, highlights the importance of nutrition among children during their “growth gap years” (ages 4-12 years old). Since its introduction in 1986, Alaska Powdered Milk’s benefits of building strong bones and bodies as well as character formation is expressed in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle through sports.  Brand Alaska owns and implements the multi-awarded Alaska Power Camp which is held nationwide, offering programs in basketball and football.  Alaska also owns its professional basketball team, the Alaska Aces, a 13-time PBA champion team which is now on its 25th year of inspiring the youth to engage in sports.  Today, Brand Alaska partners with excellent local and international organizations that share the same objectives, vision, and values including the Ironman 70.3, Ironkids, XTerra, Makati Football School, Alabang Football School, and the Philippine Basketball Association.

About the NBA

The NBA is a global sports and media business that features three professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, and the NBA Development League. The league has established a major international presence, with offices in 15 markets worldwide, games and programming in 215 countries and territories in 47 languages, and NBA merchandise for sale in more than 125,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents. NBA rosters currently feature 83 international players from 36 countries and territories. The NBA’s digital assets include NBA TV, which is available in more than 60 million U.S. homes, and NBA.com, which averages more than 42 million page views per day, more than half of which originate from outside of North America. The NBA is the No. 1 professional sports league on social media, with 325 million fans and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms. Through NBA Cares, the league and its teams and players have donated more than $205 million to charity, completed more than 2.1 million hours of hands-on community service, and created more than 750 places where kids and families can live, learn, or play.