NBA stars arrive; Dome hosts VIPs

MANILA, Philippines - Seven National Basketball Association (NBA) players arrived in Manila yesterday for the Smart Ultimate All-Star Weekend to be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Businessman Manuel Pangilinan met at the NAIA James Harden of the Oklahoma Thunder, Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, reigning league MVP Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, Javale McGee of the Washington Wizards, Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers, and this year’s No. 2 overall pick Derrick Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves arrived shortly before noon yesterday on different flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Lakers’ main man Kobe Bryant arrived around 2 p.m. on board a chartered flight from Shanghai, China after completing his Nike tour. The Thunder’s Kevin Durant is expected to arrive today on board Cathay Pacific flight CX 907.

The NBA stars are part of a selection that will play a pair of charity exhibition games against SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team and an all-star squad from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Proceeds of the games will go to the MVP Sports Foundation, whose goal is to uplift Philippine sports and to develop Filipino athletes.

Reliable sources said that the NBA selection will make a side trip to the island of Boracay for a quick dip before leaving for Hong Kong Monday evening.

Meanwhile, customs officials at NAIA temporarily held 31 pieces of baggage of the NBA players because, according to assistant deputy collector for passenger services Guillermo Francia, the organizer or the liaison officer for the group failed to inform the bureau about facilitation of the NBA baggage.

“They informed the Immigration and the airlines but never the customs,” Francia said, after ordering the baggage to be x-rayed.

NBA before SONA

Before delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday, President Aquino will have some leisure time, leading the VIPs lined up to watch the Ultimate All-Star Weekend featuring NBA superstars.

One big section of the Araneta Coliseum patron area has been reserved for the President, some members of his Cabinet and their respective staff.

With them is Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas, a member of the Araneta clan that owns the Big Dome.

Other personalities who reportedly made ticket reservations for the blockbuster event are former President Joseph Estrada, former ambassador and SMC chairman Eduardo Cojuangco, and SMC president Ramon Ang.

The NBA series, staged by the Smart-PLDT group of Pangilinan, has drawn the attention of members of the executive and legislative branches of government and the business sector.

Sen. Francis Escudero, representatives Douglas Cagas of Davao del Sur, Dong Gonzales of Pampanga, Ben Evardone of Samar, Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson and Bacolod Mayor Bing Leonardia are confirmed to be watching the game.

PBA team owners Wilfred Uytengsu, Bert Lina, Raymond Yu and Terry Que also have ticket reservations for the biggest basketball event to be held in the country probably since the World Championship in 1978.

Bryant, Durant, Paul and Rose lead the first group of active NBA stars playing in the country since the Washington Bullets came over to play a PBA selection also in 1978.