BJ Armstrong to meet, greet fans in Manila

MANILA, Philippines -  Three-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion and former Chicago Bulls point guard BJ Armstrong is coming over to Manila to grace the Jr. NBA national training camp this month at the Jose Rizal University gymnasium in Mandaluyong City.

The baby-faced playmaker out of the University of Iowa is best remembered for playing the Bulls’ backcourt alongside the great Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during the first of the team’s two three-peats during the 1990s.

 A one-time All-star who also had stints with the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic, BJ (Benjamin Jr.) will be arriving in the country middle of April and will personally appear during the special event of the JR. NBA on April 18.

As part of the 42-year old Armstrong’s visit to the Philippines, Proline Sports Center is launching its “Meet and Greet an NBA Legend” promo to give basketball fans, especially NBA enthusiasts, to personally meet, talk and take pictures with the former Bulls guard selected as the 18th pick by Chicago during the 1989 Draft.

 The top 10 cusomers with the highest accumulated purchases of Spalding-NBA products at all Proline Sports Center stores from the period March 23 to April 14 will be handpicked as winners and get the chance to “meet and greet’”Armstrong himself.

The top 10 customers and the next 10 with the highest accumulated purchase of the same products will likewise receive Proline Sports Center discount coupon each (5 percent discount on all regular-priced Spalding-NBA products) and one limited edition Jr NBA bookmark.

Customers who would like to participate are required to register on the entry forms (in duplicates) available at the Proline Sports Center stores.

Names of the winners will be posted at all Proline Sports Center stores and at prolinesportscenter.com on April 15 until July 18. They would also be contacted through telephone (landline and mobile), e-mail and registered mail.

Now retired, Armstrong was a reliable backcourt back-up of Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson during Chicago’s successful title runs in 1991, 1992 and 1993.

He had career averages of 9.8 ppg, 3.3 apg, a high .425 percent from three-point range (fourth in NBA all-time career list), .856 from the foul line and 23.8 mpg.

The 6-foot-2 Armstrong once led the NBA in three-point shooting during the 1992-93 season with a .453 percent clip.  

He last suited up for the Magic during the 1999-2000 season.