Where NBA and PBA Legends happen

Simply Hoops camaraderie.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Right off the bat, NBA legends Chris Webber, Gary Payton, Glen Rice and Mitch Richmond visited the Philippines for the NBA Asia Challenge 2010 last August. This is not the first time an event like this was held here. For some odd reason, I missed the one last year but I sure didn’t miss it this time around.

Welcome to Manila

A press conference kicked off the NBA legends’ visit here in the country. The media had the first glimpse of the teams that were playing on the August 27 game but it was the Miami Heat Dance team that lit up the press con. They did their dance routine before introducing the rosters of the NBA Asia challenge.

Smile for the cameras!
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The player that got recognized by the press was former PBA import Richie Frahm. He played for the Talk n’ Text Phone Pals several years ago then played in the NBA for the Seattle Supersonics. It was pretty much a homecoming for Frahm of the NBDL. He couldn’t hide his excitement upon his return here in the Philippines.

“First of all, it’s great to be back – it’s surreal, you know. The Philippines served my special career, I played like 9 years ago – since then it’s been a world tour for me,” Frahm said with enthusiasm.

Miami Heat mascot Burnie spiced up the press conference.
(Photo by Roy Afable

One of the PBA legends, Ronnie Magsanoc did the honor of welcoming their NBA counterparts in the country. “It’s a very important privilege for us PBA legends to be retired from the game for about 6 or 7 years. But this is the first time to play alongside certified NBA superstars, certified NBA legends – and we are sports fans as well, basketball fans and other sports as well.”

“Imagine being retired already yet you can play alongside with big names – what a trip. Butterflies in my stomach coming here, when I saw them I wanted right away to take pictures with them – they cannot do that here. In behalf of the other PBA players, Alvin, Benjie, Allan, myself and Atoy Co, we welcome you to the Philippines.” Magsanoc did mention that there were some PBA legends who were interested in playing alongside their favorite NBA heroes. That is, if they’re willing to put life and limb on the line.

Everybody say, "NBA Cares!"
(Photo by Roy Afable)

“There are a lot of PBA legends who are willing to risk their lives to run alongside the NBA Legends – thank you for coming over. This has been a very good program not only for us PBA Legends but also for the current stars.”

One of the scribes at the press con asked Chris Webber about ever going for a dunk in the exhibition game, “Oh, I know they’re gonna expect me to try and dunk and hope that I can do that,” he replied with laughter.

He (Webber) did stress however, that it was all about having fun, “We all love to have fun and that’s why we’re here, to have fun and have a great time with basketball and the great players of the PBA.”

Known as “The Glove”, Gary Payton co-signs with his buddy C-Webb on the latter. “It’s my first time to being in here. I’m a tough guy but I wanna go out and have fun with all the other people. I might go to the stands a little bit and have a little fun so that’s what I wanna do,” GP explained.

It’s all for the kids

The visiting NBA Legends and NBDL players got a chance to give back to the Filipino community and spend some quality time with kids in day 2. Gary Payton, Glen Rice and Chris McCray with Toronto Raptors Assistant Coach Jama Mahlalela conducted a basketball clinic for the kids at the Araneta Coliseum.

PBA Legends Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc gets interviewed by local media.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

On the other side of Cubao, C-Webb, Mitch Richmond and Richie Frahm of the NBDL interacted with children as they did the Read to Achieve Program at the Ali Mall activity center. Burnie, the Miami Heat’s mascot had some fun with the kids there as well. Manila Standard scribe Patricia Hizon served as Filipino translator for the little ones in attendance. Props to C-Webb for speaking a couple of tagalog words: “tapos na,” which means “it’s finished” in English – the crowd popped with sheer delight on that one. Their charity works are both part of the NBA Cares Umbrella. After the reading session, they also conducted a mini basketball camp of their own.

Selected kids eagerly waiting to interact with the NBA Legends for Fan's Dat at the Big Dome.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Back at the Big Dome, the Red Team lead by GP and G-Rice started doing their practice routines. Spotted Ateneo’s Kirk Long and his teammate (I forgot the dude’s name) shooting around with G-Rice – did a little shooting contest from half court, not sure who won there though.

NBA legends Chris Webber, Mitch Richmond and NBDL's Richie Frahm
having a reading session for the kids as part of their NBA Cares Program.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

An hour later, and obstacle course of sorts were set up in the middle of the court – it was for the fan day exclusively for the same kids that had a basketball camp there. C-Webb and Mitch Richmond got back from the reading session just in time for the fan day event.

Sac-Town's Finest: Former Kings players Chris Webber and Mitch Richmond
take turns in reading for the kids as Burnie holds the book for them.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The Miami Heat Dance Team made their appearance and performed in front of the kids. The PBA legends and local players were provided some star power of sorts. The players from both teams played games with the kids and signed autographs for them. After an hour of fun and games with the kids, it was C-Webb and Mitch Richmond and the White team’s turn for their practice session – that wrapped up the event for the day.

Fan Jam

On the eve of the NBA Asia Challenge exhibition game at the Big Dome, Pinoy hoops fans flocked the SM Mall of Asia activity center for a chance to meet and greet their favorite NBA legends. Fans participated in special games for some cool prizes. In between games, NBA legends signed autographs for their adoring Filipino fans. The finalists get to play against the NBA legends.

Chris Webber gives a few instructions to the kids before starting the mini basketball camp.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

There was one Chris Webber fan that was featured in GMA 7’s Wish Ko Lang – one of the network’s public service programs hosted by Ms. Vicky Morales. The program gave the hardcore C-Webb fan a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet his idol and watch him play at the Araneta Coliseum – for free. How cool is that?

Trigger, trigger, trigger

It’s time for the NBA Asia Challenge’s main event – the exhibition game. Fans trooped the Big Dome for some hoops action. I’m not gonna go into much detail of the game itself but I’m give you the low down on the good stuff though.

Spotting up. Glen Rice shows off his shooting skills during practice.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

It was a back and forth kind of thing. A few highlights worth mentioning, local players Ronald Tubid (Barangay Ginebra Kings) and Rico Maierhofer (B-Meg Llamdos) made a few dunks for some spice. Benjie Paras can still ball – his jumpers are still wet. Dude better back to playing pro ball in the PBA, for a short term contract at least.

Eye Candy: The Miami Heat Dance team pose for a few snapshots.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

"The Captain" Alvin Patrimonio didn’t look rusty. Oh and Chris Webber made a couple of throw downs – it sure kept the crowd going. G-Rice was his usual self shooting triples, finishing with dunks. Mitch Ritchmond was also stroking shots from the perimeter and GP, he was having some fun as cameraman in the sidelines for a bit.

Fans line up for the chance to get autographs from their basketball heroes.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The Triggerman Allan Caidic won the mini 3-point shootout against Glen Rice, I believe. The red Team won the game over the White Team, 177-167. Caidic dropped 52 points – mostly from 3-point land. No wonder G-Rice wanted to find out what the legend was all about.

How about a high five?
(Photo by Roy Afable)

“The Fortune Cookie” Atoy Co was the REAL show stealer, by the way. The crowd would pop every time he got the ball and shot it – he’d miss most of his shots though but the fans didn’t mind. He’d just scratch his head whenever he missed. His teammates would feed him the ball just to please the fans at the Big dome – it was bananas, I tell you. Good times.

Mitch Richmond signs a Golden State Warriors jersey for a fan.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

After the game, it’s time to for both teams to meet the press. Mitch Richmond told scribes in attendance how happy he was playing alongside the PBA legends at the historic Araneta Coliseum but it was the legend of the Triggerman that he couldn’t forget, “Tonight, it didn’t matter how many shots I’ve made, the triggerman hit like twice as many. So yeah, I was just in awe of his performance.”

Go Blue! Chris Webber happily sign a fan's Michigan Wolverines jersey.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Former Sacramento King Chris Webber couldn’t agree more with Richmond (an Ex-Kings player himself) with his praise on Allan Caidic’s performance. “I’ma go back and tell everybody about my experience. He (Mitch Richmond) keeps saying this but uh, triggerman was incredible. I mean, he shot the ball well. And each time, we were fouling each other, little bit of elbows, putting our hand on each others face and he’s still making his shots,” C-Webb added.

Nice kicks: Glen Rice and Chris Webber rocking LeBrons for the game.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Webber did have a message on the 59 year old PBA legend “The Fortune Cookie” Atoy Co, whom almost took the spotlight from the Triggerman. “Hey Fortune Cookie, I tell you what, to see, you know that in your age you’re able to play this game, it’s a blessing and an honor. So, to see Fortune Cookie out there shooting, still doing it, one time he shot it, he was like “check up, check up,” I was “Uh, okay yeah.” So this goes to everybody that we had a great time and Fortune Cookie is the man.”

Miami Heat mascot Burnie goofs around with "The Triggerman" Allan Caidic.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Atoy Co may have stolen the spotlight for a moment but it was still the Triggerman’s show. Gary Payton confirms the legend. “It was a pleasure playing with the PBA players and as far as playing with this guy (Allan Caidic) right here, he had 52 points – so, we just kept feeding him. We heard a lot about him, man – he is the truth. So it was really fun. We had a great time.” Taking his cue, it’s time for the words of praise from one of the L’s best shooters of his time, G-Rice on the Triggerman, “Trigger! All about the trigger right here. We had such a blast, let me tell y’all.”

The man called Trigger: Allan Caidic all smiles during the post game press conference.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Rice gave a small advice on the man called Trigger, “Come playoff time – you might wanna keep your phone lines open.” If Caidic was offered a 10-day contract to play in the NBA, I’d say he better take it – he’d make history, that’s for sure. Oh and G-Rice got a few word(s) to end the press con and NBA Asia Challenge 2010, “The last word that I wanna say is trigger, trigger, trigger.”

Epic.

Now, how about bringing Reggie Miller, Scottie Pippen and Kenny "The Jet" Smith in the mix next year....


********** Many thanks to organizers Ms. Tessa Jazmines and Mr. Kalvin Sangalang, for giving me the great opportunity to cover the NBA Asia Challenge 2010. I do hope I get to cover next year’s NBA event here in the Philippines. It was a privilege and honor working with you guys.