Love suits up in Master Game Face match

MANILA, Philippines - Local NBA fans get another treat this Saturday as Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love graces the Master Game Face All-Star Basketball Challenge at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-10 power forward is set to see action in the game’s opening and halftime shows where he will showcase his signature outlet passing in a skills challenge. The 2012 NBA three-point shootout champion will also slug it out with some of the PBA’s best shooters as well as display his patended moves alongside slamdunkers from the US.

The fast-rising NBA superstar will also hold a basketball clinic among youngsters at the Manila Boystown in Marikina City tomorrow and will later lead a charity auction and dinner at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati.

“We are thrilled to welcome the three-time NBA All-Star player and the Master Game Face All-Star Basketball Challenge is the perfect venue for Love, dubbed by the Associated Press as the new face of the Timberwolves franchise, to show his signature moves and three-point shooting prowess, as he puts his Master game face on against some of the best local players,” said Unilever male grooming brand manager Jonathan Pua.

In the NBA 2013-14 regular season, Love put on a career-high 26.1-point norm, dished an average 4.4 assists and grabbed 12.5 rebounds. He also became the first player in NBA history to record 2,000 points, 900 rebounds and 100 three-pointers in a single season.

Love’s opening and halftime shows will spice up the head-to-head match-up between Rain or Shine’s Chris Tiu and San Mig Coffee’s Marc Pingris and their respective teams beefed up by some of the top players from the PBA, UAAP and NCAA.

Making up Team Chris are collegiate stars Jeron Teng, Chris Newsome, Kevin Ferrer, Mike Tolomia, Rome dela Rosa, Mark Cruz and Zach Nichols with pros Ranidel de Ocampo, Jeff Chan, Larry Fonacier, Jimmy Alapag, Jeric Teng and Alex Nuyles as reinforcements.

Team Marc, on the other hand, will be composed of collegiate standouts Andre Paras, Jeoffrey Javillonar, Jericho Cruz, Roi Sumang, Baser Amer, Kevin Racal and Josan Nimes with support from pros Gary David, Mark Barroca, Mike Cortez, Jared Dillinger, Cliff Hodge and Paul Artadi.

Tickets to the Master Game Face All Star Basketball Challenge are available at all Ticketnet outlets nationwide. For details, visit www.ticketnet.com.ph or call 911-5555.