RP a model for Asia, says Stern

LOS ANGELES – National Basketball Association (NBA) commissioner David Stern commended Solar Sports for its comprehensive seven-days-a-week TV coverage of league games and said the Philippine rights holder sets an example as a model throughout Asia.

Stern applauded Solar Sports during a lunch hosted by NBA Asia for over 200 Asian journalists and broadcasters who flew in to cover the All-Star Weekend here.

Solar Sports president William Tieng, executive vice president Peter Chanliong and vice president Ronald Tieng who attended the lunch were pleasantly surprised by Stern’s unsolicited commendation. They never expected to be singled out by Stern in his brief talk.

Solar Sports airs two NBA games a week on the IBC network, one game a day on its cable channel and two games a day on the league pass subscription. It also features a classic game daily on cable. In all, Solar Sports offers about 100 games for Filipino viewers a month – a package that has no equal in Southeast Asia.

Solar Sports has sent Filipino broadcasters to cover the NBA Finals on site for live satellite transmission the last two years.

For this season’s All-Star Weekend, Solar Sports sent broadcasters Chino Trinidad and Andy Jao to do the play-by-play at Staples Center courtside. The telecast team was headed by vice president Ralph Roy and producer Frederick Tam.

Stern said the NBA will continue to cooperate with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in bringing the game closer to the world. He mentioned the NBA arranging visits for coaches, trainers and marketing specialists to increase the popularity of the game in Asia, particularly China.

Asian journalists from the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and China flew in to cover the All-Star Weekend. NBA Asia public relations director Cheong Sau Ching said China sent over 30 journalists for the event – obviously to track West All-Star starting center Yao Ming.

Although Yao still prefers to talk through interpreter Colin Pine, he now speaks fluent English. It’s possible he defers to Pine only when unsure of how to answer a reporter’s question.

During a recent interview, Yao was asked what kind of American music he listens to. "I like the national anthem," he replied. "I listen to it at least 82 times a year."

The good-natured Chinese center referred to the NBA’s 82-game regular season.

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Former dunking monster Darryl (Chocolate Thunder) Dawkins was mobbed by fans and autograph-seekers during the All-Star Weekend. As usual, he dressed cool-wearing a mustard suit and sporting glitter around his neck.

Dawkins, who was in Manila two years ago, said he’s definitely coming back.

"I’ll be in Manila in about six months to visit Senator (Robert) Jaworski and promote basketball," said the notorious rim-breaker. "Sam (Unera) was supposed to join me in Los Angeles for the All-Star Weekend but he had to fly to Manila."

Dawkins coaches the United States Basketball League (USBL) club Pennsylvania Valley Dawgs whose general manager and director of player personnel is Unera, a Filipino.

At a pick-up game organized by the NBA for visiting broadcasters in the Los Angeles Southwest College gym, Dawkins showed up with a whistle. Solar Sports vice president Ralph Roy, producer Frederick Tam and broadcaster Chino Trinidad played three sets of 1 to 12 points.

There were 30 broadcasters split into six teams that played simultaneously on three adjoining courts in the gym.

Dawkins tried to teach the broadcasters a thing or two about the game. Once, he stopped the action in a scrimmage to point out the importance of moving the ball around to find the open shooter. On another occasion, he called a technical on a player who protested his call. The broadcasters couldn’t get enough of Dawkins’ antics.

Trinidad said while warming up, he took a shot that bounced twice on the rim before landing straight into Dawkins’ huge palms. "You call that a shot?" asked Dawkins.

"No, Darryl, that was my assist to you," said Trinidad. Roy, who is about 5-5 like Earl Boykins, asked Dawkins if he could play center like him. Dawkins picked up Roy with two hands, lifted him up, and said why not. Tam said during a transition play, he dished off to a cutting teammate who scored an easy layup. Dawkins interrupted the action to make an example of Tam’s play. "Now that’s basketball-passing to the open man for the easy basket," said Dawkins.

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At the All-Star Game, Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest made a strange fashion statement by wearing a different shoe on each foot. McGrady wore a red shoe on his left foot and a blue on his right. Artest wore a yellow Indiana Pacers uniform shoe on his left and the Nike Air Flight Huarache 2K4 on his right.

Artest, wearing Jordan’s No. 23, was the first All-Star to take to the floor for warm-up shots an hour before the game.

There were at least eight East All-Stars shooting warm-up baskets before Dirk Nowitzki waltzed in as the first West player on the court.

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Ex-national cyclist Roland Hiso, who migrated to the US over 30 years ago, flew in from his Chicago home to watch the All-Star Game here last Sunday.

Hiso discovered Anthony Helterbrand, Rudy Hatfield, John Arigo and Rob Johnson playing in US Fil-Am leagues and brought them to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Because he lives in Chicago, Hiso wasn’t able to hold on to his players as an agent and eventually, they drifted to others, leaving him with an empty bag. Hiso said he has no hard feelings.

Shouldn’t he receive at least a finder’s fee for discovering the players?

"Hindi ko na iniisip yon," said Hiso. "Wala akong natanggap for being their first agent but okay lang. It’s no sweat off my back. I’m happy doing what I did for them. I can look anyone with a straight face."

Hiso works in the US postal office. He said he’ll visit Manila with his wife in a few weeks to enjoy a one-month vacation. Hiso added he’d like to bring at least two national cyclists to train in the US for the Doha (Qatar) Asian Games in 2006.

"I expect big things in Philippine cycling now that Mr. (Bert) Lina is on top of the organization," he said.