Basketball all in the heart — Telfair

Portland Trailblazers’ playmaker Sebastian Telfair, one of only four players who made a quick jump from high school to the NBA, yesterday said there is no sure-fire formula for success other than playing with one’s heart.

"Playing basketball should come from the heart," said the soft-spoken Telfair during yesterday’s press launch of the sixth adidas Asian Streetball Finals at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. "And I’m excited to share my experience with the players here at adidas Streetball."

The 6-foot Telfair, only the fourth player after Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James to reach the NBA without playing college ball, is in town to grace the adidas Asian Streetball Finals, which begins tomorrow (Saturday) with five countries vying for top honors in the boys and girls divisions at the Araneta Coliseum.

This marks the first time that Telfair, who became New York State’s all-time leading scorer surpassing another NBA player Kenny Anderson, has visited the country, looking forward not only to a great weekend of basketball but also to a tour of the city.

"I’m also looking forward to seeing the beautiful sights here," said the 20-year-old Telfair, who normed 6.8 points in 68 games, including game-highs of 23 points, 13 assists and six steals in his rookie NBA season.

"We are very delighted to have him here, he’s an inspiration to us Asians," said John Alonte, managing director of adidas Philippines. Also gracing the well-attended affair was adidas sports marketing manager Goody Custodio.

Telfair, a cousin of the New York Knicks’ star guard Stephon Marbury, will conduct a basketball clinic from 9:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m. today at the Moro Lorenzo Gym in Ateneo.

Fancied Korea is back to defend the crown it won last year in Seoul. Other teams competing in the event, co-presented by Globe Gentxt and backed by McDonald’s, Cherifer Multivitamins, Snickers chocolate bar, Nissan, Coppertone, adidas fragrance and body care, Blue Angel alcohol, Milo, Powerade, Viva Mineral Water, adidas eyewear and Yehey.com., are China, Chinese-Taipei and Hong Kong.

The Philippines will be represented by San Beda College and West Negros College. — Joey Villar