Former PBA cagers invited to join PBAA

MANILA, Philippines - There is life after basketball and former NBA player Charles Smith is determined to show the way for retired pros to stay active in the game through the New York City-based Professional Basketball Alumni Association (PBAA) which recently brought a US All-Star team to play the PBA Legends at the MOA Arena.

Smith, 47, heads the PBAA whose first Asian project was sending a team of NBA veterans to play a game at the Venetian Hotel in Macau last December. The visitors were Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Penny Hardaway, Gary Payton, Larry Johnson, Clyde Drexler, Dale Ellis, Mitch Richmond, Cliff Robinson, Voshon Lenard, Mark Blount, Kenny Anderson, Horace Grant and Vin Baker. The group was split into two teams of seven with Moses Malone and Nate Archibald the opposing coaches.

In Manila last week, Smith assembled an All-Star squad made up of Pippen, Rodman, Grant, Richmond, Robinson, Jason Williams, Vic Alexander, Jeff Trepagnier, Alexus Foyle, Charoy Bentley and Chris Campbell. The team was coached by Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. The All-Stars buried the PBA Legends, 112-93, behind an avalanche of 14 triples, five from Williams. In an entertaining performance, Pippen and Robinson combined for 22 points in the fourth period after the Legends trimmed the lead to six in the third.

Smith, only a few units away from earning a Master’s degree in management at Seton Hall University, said the PBAA is open to all retired pros from anywhere in the world and welcomed the participation of PBA veterans. The PBAA’s scope goes beyond the radar of the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) which is exclusively for US pros. Smith was formerly the NBRPA executive director.

Smith made a pitch for the PBAA during the NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando last February and made contact with SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy who oversees the MOA Arena. Sy was invited by the NBA to attend the All-Star extravaganza and took the opportunity to survey the Magic’s Amway Center in line with refining the MOA Arena’s structural details.

“The PBAA isn’t just for former NBA players,” said Smith, the Philadelphia 76ers first round pick and third overall in the 1988 draft from the University of Pittsburgh. “We’re opening our doors to all former professional players in the world, including those from the PBA. Our advocacy is to bring retired players back to the game by doing charity work for disadvantaged children and families. We also want to showcase the players to audiences all over the world.”

It was estimated that 60 percent of NBA players go bankrupt five years after retiring from the league. Smith said he hopes to address that problem by extending opportunities to former cagers. He said the PBAA offers counseling services for career development, fund-raising, community assistance, project awareness and charitable activities. It is anchored on a personal care philosophy that combines a business perspective with competitive sports.

The Pamir Law firm which has offices in Taipei, Shanghai and Beijing represents the PBAA in Asia with Nicholas Chen as managing director. The firm is an expert in international law and business counseling with specialization in venture capital funds, private equity firms and high-net worth family groups.

Smith said the PBAA is only involved with retired pros. Asked about his thoughts on the NBA’s one-and-done clause for eligibility into the draft, Smith said that’s a league issue and isn’t a PBAA concern. He was surprised that 16-year NBA veteran Alton Lister works as a skills coach for a PBA team and has lived in Manila the last three years. “Sure, I know Alton,” said Smith. “He’s certainly welcome to join the PBAA.”

Smith took the All-Stars to play in Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Kaohsiung. Robertson said the trip was too hectic for his wife Yvonne to come along. The Big O admitted the tour was his first opportunity to coach NBA players as after his retirement in 1974, he was blackballed because of racial prejudice and his outspoken views on free agency. He said the MOA Arena was a world-class facility and the Melawati Indoor Stadium in Kuala Lumpur where the All-Stars played before Manila paled in comparison.

In the Manila stop, Williams led the All-Stars with 26 points even if he went scoreless in the fourth quarter. Pippen tallied 21 and Richmond 12, all from triples. Robinson, Grant and Trepagnier finished in double figures. Pippen and Williams compiled seven assists each. Alexander, 42, was a late replacement for no-show Bryon Russell. The 6-9 center played for Golden State and Detroit in five total seasons.

For the PBA Legends, Kenneth Duremdes flashed his deadly form by firing 29 points, including three triples. Marlou Aquino tallied 11 points, all in the first half, and Noli Locsin also hit 11. Nelson Asaytono had 10 points, including a free throw which he scored twisting his body with his back to the basket at the line. Point guard Bal David was the only player on both sides who failed to score but drew the most applause from the crowd. David had five rebounds and four assists.