Harlem brings show to Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The finest showmen in the current Harlem Globetrotters roster compose the Globies who will play three games at the Araneta Coliseum on May 24 and 25.

Seven-foot-3 Shagari “Skyscraper” Alleyne, Nathaniel “Big Easy” Lofton, Keiron “Sweet Pea” Shine and Jermaine “Hi Rise” Brown banner the cast, which includes “Airport” Greenup, “Genera”l Grant, “Handles” Franklin, “Slick Willie” Shaw, “Bull” Bullard and “Flight Time” Lang.

Alleyne was a three-time First Team All City and All State selection and a 2002 MSG First Team All Tri-State choice while playing for University of Kentucky. At 7-3, he’s the second tallest Globetrotter in history.

Lofton was a two-time All-Southland Conference selection at Southeastern Louisiana, and as a senior, led his team in blocks, steals, rebounds and assists. He was 13 when he had his first dunk. His gregarious personality and thunderous dunks entertain Globetrotter fans young and old.

Shine is an exceptionally quick and explosive guard who brings great speed and high energy to the game while Brown awes fans worldwide with his seemingly limitless hops.

Brown does not have a favorite dunk in particular, but the crowd seems to get excited when he does a 360 or when he does his signature “Spider-Man” dunk.

The Globetrotters play at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the 24th and at 7 p.m. on the 25th, ranged against touring rival team the Washington Generals.

Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets and at the Araneta Coliseum booth with prices ranging 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. For inquiries, call 9115555.

Before their Araneta Coliseum shows, the Harlem Globetrotters provide a sneak preview in an appearance at the Signal Village in Taguig on May 22 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.

The Globetrotters promote their shows with a mall tour that will have stops at Trinoma, SM North EDSA, Gateway, Robinsons Galleria, SM Megamall, Podium, Shangri-La, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Manila on May 23, from 2-5 p.m.

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.

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.