NBA Legend Ron Harper conducts NBA Cares for children of Marillac Hills and Haven for Children

Former Chicago Bulls and LA Lakers guard Ron Harper signs some autographs for kids during
his basketball clinic at Marillac Hills and Haven for Children at the SM MOA complex.
(Image courtesy of NBA Asia)

Five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, a former Chicago Bull and LA Laker, started NBA Global Games Philippines 2013 activities rolling with a basketball clinic for the children of Marillac Hills and Haven for Children at The Venue, Prism Plaza in the Mall of Asia complex October 5.

The clinic was organized by the US Embassy and led by Harper and NBA Asia Senior Director for Basketball Operations Sefu Bernard. Alaska coaches led by PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa helped to conduct the clinic. Above, Ron Harper gets to know the children up close.

On Sunday, Harper will have a meet and greet session at the NBA Fan Fiesta in SM Megamall activity center, 6 pm to 8:30 pm.

Coach Spo is back to helm NBA Fit clinics in Manila

From left to right: Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra, Dr. Irma Asuncion DOH Head of Health Promotion Board and Mr. Ed Winkle Senior Director of NBA Asia.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoesltra is back in Manila to conduct a series of clinics on health and wellness. With the success of last year's NBA Fit program, that's enough reason for the Fil-Am coach to come home and give back to the Filipinos. Coach Spo officially made his return to the country on Monday, August 1.

NBA Fit 2011 brings healthy lifestyle to schools

NBA FIT PHILIPPINES 2011 KICKS OFF SCHOOL CLINICS AT DON BOSCO-MANDALUYONG
Above, NBA Asia Country Manager Carlo Singson (third from right) with Don Bosco-Mandaluyong rector Fr. Martin Macasaet (second from right) and other Don Bosco sports officials.
(Photo courtesy of NBA Philippines)

The NBA Fit 2011 officially began on a Monday of July 25, brought their health and wellness program to select schools. It's first stop was at Don Bosco Technological College in Mandaluyong city. The NBA will be conducting clinics till August 3. More schools have joined in for the NBA Fit program. Then on August 1, Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra will be in the Philippines to helm the NBA Fit clinics along with his coaching staff.

NBA Fit is back to promote a healthy lifestyle in the Philippines

Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra will be returning to the Philippines
to helm the NBA Fit program this August.
(Photo courtesy of NBA Philippines)

We all know that the lockout of the world's most popular hoops league is in full effect but keeping a healthy lifestyle shouldn't stop 24/7. Last year, the Philippines had it's first ever and successful NBA Fit week to promote health and wellness. It was spearheaded by Filipino-American and Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra along with his assistant coach Dave Fizdale and NBA Asia Head of Basketball Operations Jama Mahlalela. The event aims to not only spread the gospel of basketball but also to have a healthy and active lifestyle on a daily basis.

NBA 3 on 3 event unveiled in the Philippines

From Left to Right:

Carlo Singson - Senior Manager, Business Development and Marketing Partnerships, NBA Asia
Erl Orenza - Assistant Vice President - Events, Mall of Asia ARENA
Vincent Rodriguez - Head of Programming, Studio 23
Riena Marie Tan - General Manager, Tridharma Mktg Corp, distributors of Energen
JB Baylon, Public Affairs and Communication Director, Sprite
Ed Winkle - Senior Director, Business Development & Marketing Partnerships, NBA Asia
Peter Chanliong - CEO, SOLARtv Network Incorporated
Ronny Saputra - Marketing Manager, Energen
Joven Babaan - Product Manager, Spalding
(Photo by Roy Afable)

The NBA has once given the Philippines some basketball love. With the success of NBA events in the country like the NBA Fit, NBA Asia Challenge and Jr. NBA; the Filipinos are in for a treat this July for more basketball action – the NBA 3 on 3 Philippines 2011.

The Philippines' finest Jr. NBA ballers

NBA Legend AC Green checks on the kids on how well they know the art of playing defense.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

After the regional selections were done last March, the 50 best players were all set for the Jr. NBA National Training Camp. The 3-day camp was the final test for the young ballers to vie for a chance to be a part of the Jr. NBA All Stars and rep the Philippines. The event was graced by NBA Legend AC Green and it was a thrill for the kids to learn from the best.

Top 10 Manila ballers make cut in Jr. NBA Regionals

A participant showing the coaches he got skills in shooting.
(Photo by Roy Afable)

Basketball fever is still on as kids all over Metro Manila trooped the Xavier Gym in San Juan for the Jr. NBA Camp x Regional Selections last March 26. With the top ballers from Bacolod, Laguna and Visayas all set, the best from Manila/NCR will complete the cast for the Jr. NBA National Training Camp happening on April 9-11. Teens and kids have to go through different challenges if they wanna make the cut to rep Manila.

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.

The Filipino Connection

Like reaching for the cookie jar: Fil-Am Coach Erik Spoelstra
showing the kids the art shooting a basketball.
(Photo by: Roy Afable)

August seems to be a month of basketball here in the Philippines. It’s no surprise that this is usually the month NBA players would drop by the country to promote their latest kicks. Not for Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra though. He returned to Manila to help spread the word on good health, fitness & wellness, and the Pinoys favorite sport – basketball.