Lenovo brings Kobe back to Manila

MANILA, Philippines – After Lebron James, Kobe Bryant will be the next basketball superstar to visit this hoops-crazy country in a busy NBA off-season for Filipino fans.

Electronic giant Lenovo will be bringing Bryant back to Manila on August 12, to launch their new wave of mobile smart phones to the Philippine market, one day after the country finishes hosting the FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship.

Lenovo’s mobile team confirmed the news that started to swirl around the social media on Tuesday just about when thousands of basketball fans camped out for the free tickets to James’ Nike event on July 23. (read full story: Fans start camping out to LeBron James' Manila tour)

Earlier this year, Bryant inked a deal with Lenovo to endorse its mobile smart phones.

During the NBA playoffs, Lenovo unveiled Bryant’s first TV commercial specifically made for its Philippine market.

Bryant will be visiting the country for the sixth time, once with Adidas, thrice with Nike and the last with a band of young stars bannered by Chicago Bulls point guard and former MVP Derrick Rose, Oklahoma Thunder Kevin Durant and his former teammate and now Houston Rocket James Harden in a pair of exhibition games during the lockout period in 2011.  

In between James and Bryant’s visits this year will be the up-and-coming stars Harden and New Orleans Pelicans’ Eric Gordon trip to the Philippines to grace the NBA 3X.

After Bryant in August, it will be Rose’s turn to return to the country in September for his D-Rose Tour made possible by Adidas.

And before the NBA tips off its new season, Harden will be back again in October. This time, Harden will bring along his new teammate Dwight Howard and Asian sensation Jeremy Lin to lead the Houston Rockets against Paul George and his Indiana Pacers in the first ever NBA pre-season game to be held here.