NBA Legends in Manila!
NBA Legends (left to right): Dominique Wilkins, Tim Hardaway, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Rory White, Robert Horry, Vlade Divac
By Charley Bautista-Braga
Yahoo! Philippines
Five of the greatest players in NBA history are in Manila for an exhibition game against the PBA All-Stars, for the NBA Asia Challenge 2009 on Friday, September 11 at the Araneta Coliseum. These NBA Legends include Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Tim Hardaway, Vlade Divac, Dominique Wilkins and Robert Horry, who are pitting themselves up in an event, dubbed as the most ambitious and largest ever basketball event in the country.
The NBA Asia Challenge features the NBA Generations team, made up of the NBA Legends and the NBA Development League players in an exhibition game against the PBA All-Stars which include Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras, and Kenneth Duremdes, to name a few. Also accompanying the NBA Legends are The Dunking Divas, the dance troupe of the New Jersey Nets who’ll be on hand to provide on-ground entertainment, and Sly the Silver Fox, the team’s mascot.
NBA greats Robert "Big Shot Rob" Horry and Vlade Divac
Yahoo! Philippines chatted with NBA greats Robert “Big Shot Rob” Horry, and Vlade Divac, and this is what they had to share to basketball fans:
On the Philippines:
Divac: I’m very excited to be here. I heard that the Philippines is definitely a basketball country, and people really love the game here. This country has had an impact on my career. When I was 10 years old, my national team won the World Championship title in Manila in 1978, so that’s when I started playing basketball. I started when I was 10, and was drafted by the NBA when I was 21, 11 years later.
Horry: I unfortunately haven’t been able to watch any PBA, but I’m thrilled at how popular the game is here. We were just in Korea, and the thing about Asian basketball players is that they’re great guys, very skilled. I would say the one thing they have against them is size, and unfortunately you can’t teach size. They’re very skilled players though.
On basketball, and being a clutch player
Horry: It’s been fun playing with those guys, because those guys are the megastars of the team. Sometimes you’re not considered in the same breath, but you know those guys, they also value what you could do on the floor with them. These are the guys who are going to get talked about when the game ends, and they trust you to get those shots nailed down.
On the U.S. and playing pro basketball
Divac: I played four years professionally in my country, and the Lakers drafted me for the NBA. It was tough for a couple of years, playing with a different style of game. I also didn’t speak any English, but on the other hand I was lucky to end up with an organization like the Lakers, so they helped me to make the transition much easier. My advice to other imports is to spread the feeling of really loving the game. When you do that, everything else is easy. Also, do the mental work because everyone can shoot hoops, everyone can jump around, but it’s those little things that are difficult which can help distinguish you from the rest.
On luck, and career
Horry: I don’t think my career was about luck. It was about joining a team at the right time, like any kind of match or relationship, it was about finding the right match. So when you find the right kind of match, anything can happen. When I first joined the league, I thought Houston was the best match for my skills and from then on it just went on to better things. When I look at every team I’ve played, it was a great match for my talent and it was a great match for the team. Of course, there’s always going to be superstars in the team, but they’re not going to be superstars without adding that one “link,” and I always felt that I was that missing link that would make the team stronger.
Divac: I always believe in doing better, always moving forward. Everyday is a new day.
Words for people wishing to enter professional basketball
Divac: Maybe in your dream you can’t be the best basketball player, you can’t play in the NBA but you can find a way to be attached to the game in some different way where you can make a difference.
Horry: You know, you have to learn how to play the game the correct way. You have to go out and do everything, whatever it takes–walk, crawl or run – just practice the skills, the game know-how. Practice a great amount of time, and maybe you’ll get better. Also, you need to pit yourself against a team or other people who’ll help you stretch your talent. When you stretch your talent, you’ll have that experience to make yourself better.
***
About Robert Horry: Robert “Big Shot Rob” Horry’s career highlights include playing with the Houston Rockets and winning back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995, and again with the LA Lakers from 2000 to 2002. Horry is only one of nine players to win seven or more NBA championships, and only one of three players to win NBA Championships with two different teams in consecutive seasons.
About Vlade Divac: A Serbian national, Divac played for the Yugoslavian National Team and led his team to win an Olympic Silver Medal in Seoul, Korea, until he was pirated by the LA Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, and the Sacramento Kings. He ranks fourth in Lakers history with 830 blocked shots, and joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players in NBA history to amass 13,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, and 1,500 blocked shots.
Tickets for the first-ever NBA Asia Challenge are now on sale at Ticketnet outlets at SM Malls, or online at www.ticketnet.com.ph. Ticket prices are at P2,640 (Patron), P2112 (Lower Box), P1320 (Upper Box A), P792 (Upper Box B) and P264 (General Admission). For more information, please log onto www.nba.com/asiachallenge2009.
Nice writing style. I look forward to reading more in the future.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Gerard Panganiban and Yahoo! SEA Newsroom. Gerard Panganiban said: NBA Legends in Manila! http://bit.ly/TIpKU RT @yseanewsroom // Ohhh, i miss watching the exciting game of basketball!!! [...]
it will be a thrill to watch those guys play against our own team and i give 100% in what robert horry had said about asian players that only lack of size but skill and speed wise were competeable with the world. i myself, i recon that am good in basketball but the size, bing only 163 cm is not enough. knowing the game i could be a great coach. goin back to the topic. just hope someday a filipino player would be seen at a NBA game.
hey u foreign guys try to mix ur styles wid us so dst u wud see how we play r games. gudlak for ur injuries…
this will gonna be a great game!
this will be a good show…
@manny
me too, am hoping also to see pinoy in NBA…
go pinoys!
i would like to meet the NBA legends!..
this is bs. this oldies won’t make a shot
whoa! how cool! guys! goodluck~ both PBA and NBA:)
i would really love to watch that game, specially that alvin patrimonio is playing again ..im a big fun of him.. but unfortunately im in singapore right now..
is it going to brodcast on t.v? or tfc?
It’s so nice for Divac to make mention of the 1978 World Basketball Championship in Manila. A contest was sponsored that year by the organizers and Adidas to name the basketball event in Tagalog or Pilipino. … and the winner was: “Busluang Pang-kapatiran 1978″ (Basketball Brotherhood). What a fitting name for all lovers of the game. Kudos to the winner wherever you may be. I remember that trivia because I was one of the 2nd prize winners. My entry was “Busluang Pang-daigdigan, Maynila ‘78″. To the NBA Stars, especially to Divac, Welcome to Manila!
Do you have a pictures from meet and greet form Megamall, Podium and Sm north. Because i missed it. Thanks my email ldl_design@yahoo.com
magtagalog ka na lang bro..sakit sa mata eh..
This will be a nice game tiyak marami manunuod nito!
I thought Will Smith is in Manila..It turns out to be Robert Horry:)
well there is a filipino nba coach (spoelstra) so that’s pretty good =)
I think both superstars are right. We may not have the height advantage required to become noticed on the NBA. However, one thing remains certain that Filipinos have a heart that never gives up. I believe the Filipinos can do it. We are just yet a young team to consider playing the all-time bests in the NBA and as a whole. The difference might be comparable to the little league playing in the professional league. No matter how skilled a young player is, he does not have a chance to play a much older and skilled player, despite the age advantage. Maybe when we are going to master the skills, as what Horry would say, we may have a chance internationally. Exposure is indeed the key to everything. This NBA Asia Challenge is really a must-see event for Filipinos and the world.
it will be a great experience for the fans to watch the pba legends against the nba legends…
yeah, wala tayong height, at may puso tayo. kaso, wala talgang skills eh. sa buong mundo, tayo ang 2nd na pinakamatagal na professional basketball league, after ng NBA, pero hindi pa rin tayo nakakagawa ng player na dito lumaki at gumaling at nakuha sa NBA. although sayang si abbarientos. lintik na wang zhizhi yan
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ahahaha naka2 awa naman tayo bagsakan nang mga laos, mga pinag ki2taan ng mga 2log. sori ha opinion ko lng mga pare.
hey guys,
ur warm welcome here in philippines…
they love so much NBA player like you guys..
u will never forget the Filipino people how they will appreciate you much in court…
any words form dominique, tim, abdul and rory it seems that only two of great player only have comments…heehehe
magandang pagdating po sa Pinas…..
Let’s see them perform despite of their ages. They won’t be legends anyway if it’s not because of their achievements. Same goes to the PBA All Stars chosen. All I wish for would be sportsmanship and lots of fun.
The best part on this game would be the New Jersey Nets Dancers. Woooh!
Filipinos will never play in the nba because we suck. Period. The only people we can beat are retards and countries who dont know how to play the game.
go Robert “Big Shot Rob” Horry………
hi ! I am a basketball fanatic. This is indeed..a must-see event. I would like to congratulate the sponsors for bringing Mr. Abdul Jabbar “The Skyhook”, Dominique Wilkins “The Human Highlight”, and the rest of the NBA Stars here in the Philippines. Sana marami pang katulad nito.. my father always talk a lot about of these guys..sana nga nakasama din sina Magic, Bird, Mike Cooper, Kurt Rambis, Jordan, Barkley, at si Pippen para buo ang NBA All Stars…
uhmMMmmMmmMmmmmm,itetelecast b toh? wat do yah think?
wow! sure this is going to be fun and exciting for the filipinos 2 see NBA legend players like kareem abdul playing with PBA players…wish i could watch this game but i have work.(so sad!)
this is one hell of a game that i need 2 experience..
Jerome D pare, pinasaya mo ko sa komentaryo mo!Saw-sarap na saw-sarap ang dating!
to those people who commented very bad english content and wrong grammar I sugggest you keep your own words and go to school. Very shameful! Stupid idiots.
this is a great basketball “rumble”
where can i see those pictures.. im far away from manila so i just want to see some of there pictures…
astig
well..that would probably be an exciting game..
I’ll watch it…see you there!!!!!!!
This is one, in a lifetime experiance to our contry great NBA players play in the Philippines. WE’RE THE BEST AND BLESS… MABUHAY.
WOW THATS COOL NBA PLAYER, PLAY IN THE PHILIPPINES
WOW THATS COOL NBA PLAYER, PLAY IN THE PHILIPPINES
where’s magic johnson and isiah thomas? how about air jordan or bruce bowen?
this is a joke. why can’t they bring in today’s real big names? the answer: the Philippines in NOT important to the NBA.
guys, pahingi ticket wala na ko makuhaan… sold out na lahat… dito me dasmarinas cavite.. i need 5 tickets po… gusto ko mag kameron ng remembrnce sa mga idol ko sa NBA and also sa PBA all star’s natin… gud luck guy’s
sali ako diyan..
sinong kakampi ko? best of three ha…
height does not matter it is all about team work and fighting spirit
As I can see the final score…
NBA : 130 points
PBA : 25 points
Hehehe
If I remember it right,1970’s ng maglaro sa Araneta ang mga NBA players like Walt Franzier,Calvin Murphy and rest of NBA superstars that time nakalaban nila ang mga selections natin like Fabiosa,Arnaiz,Jaworski and rest… Na mention nga nila Frazier na marami sa atin ang magagaling. Special mention nga si Fabiosa.Naaagawan niya yung guard ng NBA. We only lack in height.Pero di tayo pahuhuli.Sana televise live.Can’t afford the ticket.I can’t wait to watch it.
why jawo not included in this line up..is he still can play.tandem with mon fernandez.philip cesar,bogs adornado,atoy co..mizz those rivalries(crispa vs toyota) back to 70’s and 80’s.and the country reached the dominance of basketball in asia.but today the country is lucky to win asean competition.shame to say basketball in this country moves backward,the same as the government and related issues.time to quit basketball for the undersized people,look for new alternatives which the undersized and speed is effective.
Height disadvantage is an old excuse. Time has changed and our new generations are getting taller and our love for basketball is continuesly improving the skills of our young players. I’m glad that players like Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, Ronnie Magsanoc and Benjie Paras will get their moments to play once again and represent the country. They are the same guys who won 2nd place for our country in 1990 Asian games. Almost beat a much taller China team 1st place on that league. The line up composed of players that can easily be recognized as Filipinos because most if not all are home grown talents but now our performance has deteriorated. We rely too much on the fil-foreign players to win for us while during those times these guys rely on their filipino heart and fighting spirits to cope up with height disadvantage. I think we can still steer up the ship by developing Filipino talents but it is not what happening now “a player wanting to play for the PH team is getting sued because they want him to play in their league rather than giving honor to our country”.
I think these event should not be missed for everybody hu love basketball..
We are grown in a different culture the important is you bring the honor to your country what ever your personality is.
this is a great game with nba players gudluck c u der in araneta
SIZE MATTERS!!! MOST PINOY PBA PLAYERS ARE A LITTLE BIT BIGGER THAN THE NORMAL ONE! STILL THEY LACK THE NECESSARY INCHES COMPARED TO THE EUROPEAN AND GRINGO DRIBBLERS!! BUT IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER BECAUSE THE LACKING HEIGHT IS MADE UP WITH THE SKILLS!!!
hopefully we have a pinoy player of nba.
playing against these some of NBA Greats is really an awesome experience to some of the PBA stars…and watching this game is of tremendous thrill. thanks to the organizers!!!
where is the other legend?
why is michael jordan aint in the NBA legends?
he is suppose to be there bcoz he is a legend!
he was the best and the greatest!
The PBA legends are definitely at a disadvantage since, as Robert Horry pointed out, they lack the size needed to match up even with these legends from the NBA. But it’s all for the love of the game, though. If I would have resided in Manila, then this is one of those opportunities I would not let pass up. I expect this to be a great game, to say the least.
Just watch the game and we see what happened to our PBA players when they meet the NBA Legends..To our PBA Legends give your 100% effort to win this game!!!We know you’ve made it.heheheheh
GOOD LUCK!!!
GBU
I would love to see Kareem and Magic along with the showtime Lakers play here in Manila and also some of the greatest NBA players.
Meanwhile, this exhibition game with our local greats is a must see
Divac is wrong when he said “this is a basketball country”. sorry dude… this is PACMAN’s country!
Good luck though to your games. Hope the legs are still there, careful for the injuries.
Wow, it’s really great kc i love basketball talaga. Actually elementary pa lng aq pinano2od q na c Alvin.. he’s the best for me!
its been a long time since i see this legend to play ball again its gonna be nice
dis oldies will suffer the physical game we hav.poor grandpa’s
this is one of those “last hurrah” for these old players or “mga laos na”. It’s just for making profit out from those that they can fool from these “so-so” games. It will be very far from what we expect from a real nice basketball game. In fact, these games should be free with no tickets!
Goodluck
just like ukay-ukay, they are sending used items, hand me downs to play with. we are suckers again with the “western” culture.
to top it all, we are going to pay for this!
Guys take note of this, It’s a sign that Filipino has been seeing in the near future playing in the NBA. Those six retired NBA Player is scouting the Filipino basketball player. This now the time to show that Filipino had a capability playing in the NBA.
great game?
LOL
WELCOME!!!!!! The NBA Team here in philippines. Finally my wish come true and that they are here to play even just i think exhibition game only. I’m so glad specially to MR. RObert Horry from SPURS team my favorite team. Hope you will enjoy while here in philippines.
The writer missed including the 2 championships of Robert Horry with the San Antonio Spurs. He’s the only NBA player who has won NBA championships with 3 different teams (Houston, LA and San Antonio)
pinoys show them your skills and talent especially allan caidic if he will play, however it would be a big task beating the NBA legends, good luck guys
it would be a great opportunity for the PBa all star to be given such huge break!!!playing with the legendary NBA superstars???WOW!!!!
Im an addict fan of PBA i loved James Yap and Kirbee Raymundo im sure i will and everybody will enjoy such game on friday……….
marco they are not like ukay ukay they are legendary……..wag kang praning bading ka ba?at hindi ka marunong magappreciate ng mga great events????kung wala kang magandang comment better SHUT UP!!!!!!!!
I cannot afford to travel to Manila and was not able to watch the Legends of the NBA during our rainy season. I hope they had a warm welcome. I do not mean to be a downer or a kill joy, but the kids here in Gubat are saying that the Americans do not want us developing as a country or grow tall to be good athletes so Americans can send their has beens and rejects here to get paid the millions of dollars instead of Filipino athletes. Why I suggested corporate sponsorship, a corporate decision.
Daniel Escurel Occeno
GUBATNET
ipapalabas yan sa tv pero tipong pagkatapos na ng pacquiao vs kuto
I love to watch that game but im not in the Philippines right now…So sad!…
excited to witness this historical event. i was looking forward to this when i was still 11years old. haha
will this be televised?
it will be agreat game to watch!!!
matatalo kau…
sweet:)
@Pam – Pirated CD =D
Go PBA!
If the Legends of the NBA ask who do I believe is the best player in the NBA, tell them Dwyane Wade. He should ask to be traded to Superman’s team. Dwight Howard needs a point guard to take on the forward combination of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. The best ever coach of course Lew would agree is the Wizzard of Westwood, John Wooden that never coached in the NBA. How is Walt Frazier doing, all time the best! I liked defense, trying to steal the ball from taller guards. I could slide like clyde when my polio did not bother me.
Daniel Escurel Occeno
GUBATNET
In a defensive position hug the wall, and slide (side to side) with the flat part of your toes without ever touching the wall. And visualize where the ball is without looking at it. And do not crossover reach. Use the nearest hand to swat at the ball upward or away from the dribbler. Now go watch the game! You might learn something. The NBA is fantasticcc.
Daniel Escurel Occeno
GUBATNET
This is a continuation of a legacy.
PBA IS DEAD… They SUCK.
wala na pba player ngayon na pwedeng maging legendary ang status…
Better watch US NCAA games…PBA? mas mabilis pa maglaro mga pagong.
NBA IS THE BEST…
LETS GO LAKERS!!!
LETS GO CELTICS!!!
I leave in LA most of my life. A laker die hard fun. It’s nice to see you guys in Manila.
its great to watch such palyer like dominic ang jabbar they are an ispiration of someone who wants to play the game of basketball in a highest level im excited to watch too…..!!!!!
is it going to be air live???
good luck!!!!!!!!!!!
HOW I WISH,I AM STILL WORKING IN CLARK AIR BASE,WAY BACK CLARK AMERICANN BASE,SO I CAN WATCH THE FOMOUS BASKETBALL PLAYER IN AMERICA,WHAT I CAN DO NOW IS WATCH ON T.V.,WORKING IN AMERICAN BASE,WAY BACK THEN,I HAVE HUGE SALARY TO HAVE EXTRA TO SPEND.IS HURTING ME,SINCE I LOST MY JOB AT THE AAFES,( ARMY & AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICES ) MY MOVE’s WENT MINIMAL,coz I HAVE TO PRIORITIZE MY DAY TO DAY LIVING w/c is MY FOOD in EVERYDAY…I’M A BASKETBALL MANIA SINCE I WAS 12 year’s old,BE A PBA or FOREIGHN BASKETBALL…TO ALL THE FAMOUS BASKETBALL PLAYER who SPEND TIME VISITING our BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY,PLS.ACCEPT OUR WARM,HONORED,HAPPY WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU…GOD BLESS,BE SAFE,HEALTHY here for STAYING,PLS.ENJOY UR STAY IN OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY…PHILIPPINES.
w/ all the LOVE & RESPECT,
Ms.FELMA SAMSON
former AAFES/PHILIPPINES emp.
CLARK AMERICAN AIR BASE
1979 – 1991
CASHIER’s/SALE’ rep.
that is a great experiance to play basketball w/ the lagends of the NBA.to all our PBA player still work hard like chinesse players.every game is a game,don’t make it easy.concentrate in the game.more power to filipino basketball playars…
DAPAT KASAMA SA LINE UP PO NG PBA TEAM SI AVELINO “SAMBOY” LIM, THE SKYWALKER AND ORIGINAL DRAGON NG PBA. KASI PO HE IS ONE OF OUR GREATEST PLAYER WE HAVE SA PILIPINAS. KASAMA PO BA SYA?
MARAMING SALAMAT PO.
JIGS – DAVAO CITY
It is unfortunate that I could not see these guys in flesh at the Araneta Coliseum today. I am in Batangas right now and still hoping that I could watch them on TV.
For Mssrs Robert Horry, Vlade Divac, Dominique Wilkins, Tim Hardaway, Rory White and of course Lew Alcindor a.k.a Kareem Abdul Jabbar; It is great feeling that you came over here in my beloved Philippines. Show the Filipino people the moves that made you guys famous during your prime.
To our PBA greats, Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, Benjie Paras et.al. Good luck to you guys. Show them how good we are in this game on earth.
GOD BLESS EVERYONE! and MABUHAY PO KAYONG LAHAT!
well goodluck for both teams
may nakakaalam ba kung san pa pupunta mga legends ngayon?
I’m glad that players like Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, Ronnie Magsanoc and Benjie Paras will get their moments to play once again and represent the country. They are the same guys who won 2nd place for our country in 1990 Asian games. Almost beat a much taller China team finishes 1st place on that league. The line up composed of players that can easily be recognized as Filipinos because most if not all are home grown talents but now our performance has deteriorated. We rely too much on the fil-foreign players to win for us while during those times these guys rely on their filipino heart and fighting spirits to cope up with height disadvantage.
gudluck to the pba veterans..
lababan ng mga matatanda ang lban na to
Can the Legends of the NBA in their prime compete with the superstars of today? The answer is yes. The best rises to the level of competition to be the best. But you have to walk the talk. Walt Frazier dribbled in concrete streets daily like a jogger jogs for miles according to his book.
Walt Frazier, Jerry West, and Lew Alcindor would have grown up in a United States with gymnasiums in every public elementary school with school cafeterias and private health clubs with the most modern equipments to develop the muscles. More is known about the game of basketball with better overall coaching at a younger level and the technology just with cable to watch game films not to mention self-help DVDs are enormously available. Free at the public libraries. Do not forget to return it on time.
The most important however is the nationwide basketball camps and tournaments. You have to see and compete with the best to know the levels to achieve, one on one. Then you can decide if it is worth practicing, living with the agony of the pain, and giving up on something easier to achieve success or fame or both.
Daniel Escurel Occeno
GUBATNET
it will be featured on television? because i want to watch this game.
PBA vs NBA IT WILL BE A GREAT… NICE TO HEAR THAT NEWS, HOPE I CAN COME THEIRE TOO AND WATCH THEM PLAYING BOOTH TWO TEAMS.
jane gascon from malate
yeah it ROCKZ…
its a privilege for filipino cagers to play with NBA legends. GO PINOYS. goodluck guys.
To see alvin patrimonio and allan caidic play again would be exciting and i hope theyll be healthy to play and compete against the nba legends. this also would be a good example for the young basketball generation in our country to watch our pba legends in live action. specially allan caidic who is the greatest shooter the country so far had produced, which our basketball program at present is missing. the shooting skills that our pba legends had that made us very competetive in international games back then, despite the lack in size and ceiling. so goodluck to our pba legends and to evevybody enjoy!
Oh yes!this is so great,.i can’t w8 to see h0w our PBA plays with the U.S. NBA…we(A5) shall nvr passd this gme..
nice initiative!
welcome rob!
This is history in Philippine basketball game. Imagine, former and active players in the PBA can test their skills against the likes of NBA stars eg. Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Doms Wilkins, Horry, Tim Hardaway, Divac, etc..
The giants versus the small but terrible players in the PBA is exciting to watch..
Just hope that it will be featured LIVE on the TV.
Goodluck to both Teams… May the best team WINS!
Benwar
i would like to thank the NBA legend player to play basketball to our country to give additional knowledge to our PBA players and coaches, not to be come a NBA player someday but to compete the other countries basketball players, playing in the big scence like fiba world basketball someday.
Wow! I wonder who won?
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