| 03.05.2013 – The Philippines is a great basketball country and its own league is the oldest second only to the NBA. Everywhere you go basketball courts can be seen in small towns even the most provinces that anywhere theirs is a game being played.
It’s a great privilege to have the Philippines as one the selected host countries outside North America to stage a pre-season game. It was announced early this afternoon that the NBA in partnership with SM will bring the Indiana Pacers and the Houston Rockets. (Please CLICK on the title for the full article) |
The preseason game for the 2013-2014 Season will be held at the SM Mall of Asia’s Arena on October 10, 21013.
This will be NBA’s first preseason game in Southeast Asia as the league continues to be known globally. As mentioned basketball is the country’s national sport and the first US professional sports league to held a game in the country.
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| Photo Courtesy of Roy Afable |
“Our game in Manila is an exciting opportunity to connect with the passionate basketball fans in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia,” said Commissioner David Stern. He added, “The Philippines is an ideal setting for the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers to take part in a showcase of our game and give fans in the region an authentic NBA experience.
The Houston Rockets continue to grow as a team now led by NBA All-Star James Harden, the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and 2012 Kia NBA Sixth Man of the year when he was still part of the Okalahoma City Thunder. Harden won’t be the only integral part of the Houston Rockets without Jeremy Lin. Everyone knows the “Linsanity” that became popular during his stint with the New York Knicks in the previous season. The league’s first American-born player of Chinese descent makes up the dynamic duo of the Houston Rockets.
The Indiana Pacers roster includes 2009 Kia NBA Most Improved Player Danny Granger, and NBA All-Stars Paul George, Roy Hibbert, and David West. Definitely it’s going to be one of the memorable games never to miss in the Philippines.
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| Photo Courtesy Roy Afable |
“This is definitely sports in the making,” said SM Prime Holdings Inc. President Mr. Hans T. Sy. “The Filipinos are one of the biggest basketball fans in the world. It is only fitting that we bring the NBA pre-season game to Philippine shores. And SM will make it happen at the Mall of Asia Arena.”
The game is part of the NBA’s comprehensive global game schedule that will have eight NBA teams play in eight cities in six countries this October. The schedule – which will also feature the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, and Washington Wizards – will include the first-ever NBA preseason games to be held in Brazil, and in the cities of Bilbao, Spain and Manchester, England. It will also include games in Beijing and Shanghai, China; Taipei, Taiwan; and Istanbul Turkey.
The league has roots in the Philippines dating back to 1979 when then Washington Bullets played an exhibition game against the Philippine Basketball Association All-Stars in Quezon City.
LIKE NBA Philippines on Facebook to get more upcoming details of the event and follow on twitter at: @NBA_Philippines
Visit the Official website at: NBA.com/Philippines
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