Pacers, Rockets hit town for NBA Global Games

MANILA, Philippines -- The Indiana Pacers and the Houston Rockets have landed in Manila on Monday morning, thrilled to show fans their wares in the 2013 Global Games Philippines.

New addition Dwight Howard joined the Rockets in their Global Games tour alongside stars Jeremy Lin and James Harden, who is on this third visit to the Philippines.

Harden was in the country in 2011 for a pair of exhibition matches against local teams and returned last July for the NBA 3X event.

The Pacers, last season's Eastern Conference finalists, were the first to touch down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Back-up center Ian Mahimni aldready posted on Instagram a photo of his view from the hotel they were staying with the caption "Philippines baby!"

Houston Rocket forward Omri Casspi joined in the fun and posted his own Instagram photo after their arrival at the airport.

The Pacers and Rockets will figure in a preseason game on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena, the first time such match will be held in the Philippines.