NBA 3-on-3 returns to Manila Aug. 17

MANILA, Philippines - The NBA 3-on-3, which combines on-court competition with NBA entertainment for Filipino fans, returns to Manila next month for another three-day visit beginning Aug. 17 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

Competitions in the NBA 3X Philippines 2012 presented by Sprite will be for boys ages 10-18, girls ages 13-17, and Open divisions for men and women.

Registration is ongoing on a first-come, first-served basis with deadline set on Aug. 10.

For details, including registration locations, game format and rules is available at www.nba3X.com/Asia/Philippines. Regular updates will also be made on the local twitter feed @NBA_Philippines.

Other events on tap are the Sprite Slam Dunk contest, Sprite Skills Challenge and KFC Bucket 3-Point Shootout.

There will also be cage clinics and community events with an NBA player.

To keep fans entertained, there will be NBA dance team performances, mascot appearances, NBA merchandise giveaways, and live bands and DJs.

Players from local professional and college leagues, as well as local celebrities, will also attend the event.

Spicing up this year’s event, the NBA 3X will feature try-outs for the Sprite Uncontainable Game. Two Filipino finalists will be selected to be part of the global pool from which 2012 NBA champion and MVP LeBron James and NBA superstar Kobe Bryant will chose their teams, Team Sudden and Team Intense, respectively. The Sprite Uncontainable Game, the brand’s largest ever basketball program, teams up with six NBA players to discover 24 of the most creative, undiscovered amateur ballers from around the world to represent either Team Sudden or Team Intense in the Sprite Uncontainable Game at the NBA All-Star 2013 in Houston, Texas. If picked to be part of either team, finalists will get a trip to the 2013 NBA All Star Game.

“Sprite and the NBA have a long history together. We’re very excited to take this partnership to an even greater level and offer an experience of a lifetime with the bigger NBA 3X and The Sprite Uncontainable Game. The Sprite Uncontainable Game will be a chance for the Filipino youth to show the world just how creative and talented we are in playing this popular sport.” said Criselle Pascual, Sprite Group brand manager at The Coca-Cola Export Corp.

“Last year, huge crowds came out to enjoy a fun-filled weekend with lifestyle events and festivities for the entire family so we are thrilled to bring back a bigger 3X event this year,” said Carlo Singson, NBA Asia’s country manager for the Philippines. “The Philippines has given us record TV ratings this year and one of the highest audience following on NBA.com and NBA social media sites in the world. We believe that, together with the support of our partners, our summer activities like NBA 3X presented by Sprite will continue to engage our loyal fans here.”

Along with Sprite, KFC, the NBA’s official quick service restaurant in the Philippines, will be an Official Partner. SOLARtv Network Inc. (Basketball TV and NBA Premium TV), Studio 23, X-Play Online Games Inc. (X-Play), The Philippine STAR and PhilStar.com have joined NBA 3X Philippines 2012 presented by Sprite as official media partners. Spalding will act as a supporting partner, with SM Mall of Asia and SM Cinemas as Venue Partners.

All participants of the NBA 3X Philippines 2012 presented by Sprite will receive a jersey and NBA sling bag. There will also be prizes for the winner of each division.