Johnson, DeRozan spice up NBA 3X

MANILA, Philippines - Fast-rising NBA stars DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors and Wesley Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers will be the main attraction when the NBA 3X Philippines 2014 presented by Sprite that kicks off today at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.

DeRozan and Johnson will be joined by the Raptors Dance Pak and Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson The Lion in the event featuring free fan activities like a slam dunk contest, basketball clinics, 3-point shootouts, skills challenges, and autograph sessions, in addition to the tournament proper, which is on its fourth year now.

While DeRozan and Johnson expressed excitement over their Manila visit, they were likewise tuned in on the NBA free agency development back home.

In fact, DeRozan, drafted ninth overall by Toronto five years ago and got his first All-Star appearance this season,was thrilled upon learning that the Raptors have re-signed star point guard Kyle Lowry to a $48 million four-year contract.

“S/o (shoutout) to my dog @Klow7 (Kyle Lowry)! Well deserved! #ProveEm,” twitted DeRozan on his account @DeMar_DeRozan on the day he attended the NBA 3X Phl 2014 presented by Sprite press launch at the NBA Cafe inside the SM Aura yesterday.

Lowry and DeRozan were vital cogs in helping the Raptors reach the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

For Johnson, the fourth overall pick of the 2010 draft who is now an unrestricted free agent, he’s still waiting for calls from prospective teams.

“I’ve talked to three teams,” said Johnson, who posted a career-high in points (9.1), blocks (1), steals (1.1) and rebounds (4.4) with the Lakers last year.

Aside from the Lakers, he had also shown interest in Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans.

DeRozan is scheduled to return to the Phl as member of the star-studded NBA team that will play FIBA World Cup-bound Gilas Pilipinas in a pair of exhibition games on July 22 and 23 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum dubbed as PLDT Home’s “Last Home Stand.”

DeRozan will reteam with Lowry, and join Blake Griffin, Damian Lillard, Paul Pierce and reigning NBA Finals MVP Kahwi Leonard, who helped the San Antonio Spurs obliterate the Miami Heat en route to the title.

“NBA fans in the Phl have been treated to a historic year of activities with the staging of the first ever NBA pre-season game in Southeast Asian in Manila, followed by the opening of the NBA Cafe Manila, which is a first-of-its-kind destination,” said NBA Phl country manager Carlo Singson, who was accompanied by Scott Levy of NBA Asia and Sprite’s Atty. Adel Tamano.