Globetrotters invade Manila

MANILA, Philippines – The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, basketball ambassadors who combine athleticism, theater and comedy, are once again visiting the country for a three-game exhibition at the Araneta Coliseum May 24 and 25.

They play at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the 24th and at 7 p.m. on the 25th before an expected sellout crowd.

Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets and at the Araneta Coliseum booth. Prices range from P210 to P2,100 for the 7 p.m. Sunday appearance and P105 to P1,575 for the 3 p.m. Sunday matinee and 7 p.m. game on Monday.

Dubbed “The Harlem Globetrotters Live in Manila,” the event is presented by BTV, C/S9 and Max Entertainment and sponsored by Sun Cellular, Pioneer Insurance and Dusit Hotel with media partners Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT, Wave 89.1, Jam 88.3 and 103.5 MAX FM. For inquiries and reservations, call 911-5555 and for more details, visit www.btv.com.ph.

In their 83rd season of touring the globe, the Globetrotters come to Manila after their performances in Malaysia and Singapore. From Manila, they fly to Hong Kong for another game.

The Globetrotters will be up against touring rival team, the Washington Generals.

Created by Abe Seperstein in 1926 in Chicago, the Globetrotters have played more than 20,000 exhibition games in 118 countries. They first visited Manila in 1952.

Brother Bones’s whistled version of “Sweet Georgia Brown” is the team’s signature song, and Globie has been their mascot since 1993.

The Globetrotters were initially a serious competitive team, and despite a flair for entertainment, they would only clown for the audience after establishing a safe lead in the game.

The Globetrotters gradually worked comic routines into their act until they became known more for entertainment than sports. The Globetrotters’ acts often feature incredible coordination and skillful handling of one or more basketballs, such as passing or juggling balls between players, balancing or spinning balls on their fingertips, and making unusual, difficult shots.

Among NBA greats who had stints with the Globetrotters are Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Connie Hawkins and Nat Clifton as well as Davey Neidig, George Lemon, Jerome James, John Chaney, Reece “Goose” Tatum and Hubert Ausbie.

The all-time Harlem roster also included several former PBA imports, including Scooter McFadgon, Gee Gervin, Anthony Miller, Chris Morris, Tremaine Fowlkes, Donald Williams, Derrick Canada, Cedric Ceballos, Ben Davis, Brandon Dean, Ronnie Fields, Kevin Holland, Kenny Battle, Brandon Williams, Monty Buckley, Jeff Varem and Kevin Holland.

Among the present-day Globies are 7-3 Skyscraper Alleyne of Kentucky, 5-10 Keiron (Sweet Pea) Shine of Memphis, 6-7 Kris (Hi-Lite) Bruton of Benedict College, 6-4 Wun (The Shot) Versher of Arizona State, 6-8 “El Gato” Melendez of UNLV, 6-9 Apollo Fraser of Villanueva, 6-6 “Slick” Willie Shaw of St. John’s, 6-4 Bull Bullard of Texas A&M Corpus Christi and 6-4 Aundre (Hot Shot) Branch of Baylor.