Derrick Rose rounds up NBA’s star cast in Philippines – Basketball News
A host of NBA stars are headed to the Philippines to play two games, one against the Smart Gilas Pilipinas and another against a Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) selection on July 23 and 24 at the Araneta Coliseum. A number
of big NBA names have already confirmed their participation in the event and the final piece was added today, in the form of reigning league MVP Derrick Rose.
The announcement came through a press release by MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio, who said,
“He (Rose) okay, there’s just one detail we’re trying fix out,”
MVP Sports Foundation is the group behind the extravagant weekend of hoops action. Earlier Philippines head coach Chot Reyes, had hinted that Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose could be added to the already stellar cast of NBA stars
participating in the event when he said,
“It could be one more MVP and one more Rookie of the Year,”
The other player hinted in his quotes is believed to be two time NBA scoring champion and former Rookie of the Year, Kevin Durant. However, the player’s participation could not be finalized and it has been confirmed now that he
will not be part of the two games.
Reigning Rookie of the Year and Slam Dunk contest winner Blake Griffin, who has shot to stardom this season, was also pencilled in for the event but the Los Angeles Clippers man cancelled as he had to attend his brother’s wedding
back at home.
Despite these setbacks, a superb cast of NBA stars has been enrolled by MVP Sports Foundation. Derrick Rose is the latest name, but he is not the biggest. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, a five time NBA World Champion and
one of the biggest stars to grace the game will be player/coach of the NBA team.
Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets would give Rose competition for the starting point guard slot while the other stars include Tyreke Evans, a former Rookie of the Year, of the Sacramento Kings, James Harden of Oklahoma City
Thunder and high flyer DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Derrick Williams, who hasn’t yet played in the NBA and was picked 2nd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in this year’s draft, will also accompany the NBA team.
The NBA and basketball in general is widely popular in the Philippines and a host of sponsors and investors joined hands to make this event possible. The prominent names among these are Maynilad, TV5, Metro Pacific Tollways, Smart,
PLDT, Meralco, Investment Corp. and Philex Mining.
The two games in the Philippines would represent the first of their kind by NBA players since the league went into lockout on July 1 and more such tours are expected, especially in China.
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