Ex-NBA stars to fly to Manila for preseason game

MANILA, Philippines – Former NBA stars Robert Horry, Clyde Drexler and Jalen Rose will be visiting Manila for the NBA Global Games in October featuring the Indiana Pacers and Houston Rockets.

Drexler – who suited up for the Portland Trailblazer and Rockets – and Horry – won titles with the Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs – have been to the Philippines before as part of NBA Madness 2011 and NBA Asia Challenge 2010, respectively.

The NBA has appointed them along with Rose, a former Pacer, to be the league’s ambassadors to the country.

Horry said he is looking forward to his second trip to Manila.

“The fans are very passionate about the game. I’ve been very, very fortunate to travel to a bunch of places and experience different cultures. And everyone has that love for you. Even though sometimes they don’t know who you are, they know the NBA; they know the NBA brand and they come out and support it because they know it’s going to be a fun-filled event. It’s just a wonderful feeling to still be associated with the NBA even though you’re not playing,” said Horry.

Jalen Rose, for his part, noted how the fans’ knowledge of the game was advanced; “(how) they truly craved and supported NBA basketball”.

After the Oct. 10 game at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the two teams, their entourage and the NBA Legends will fly to Taipei to prepare for NBA Global Games Taipei 2013 on Oct. 13.