Busy Iverson finds time to say hello to Phl fans

MANILA, Philippines - A little over two months before his scheduled visit to the Philippines, former National Basketball Association (NBA) MVP Allen Iverson expressed his excitement to touch base with his Filipino fans.

Iverson will be in the country early November for a charity basketball game for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga as well as hold a series of basketball clinics for the youth. He will be joined by fellow ex-NBA superstars Gilbert Arenas, Eddie Curry, and DerMarr Johnson plus the Ball Up Streetball All-Stars for a basketball fundraiser dubbed “All In” at the Mall of Asia Arena on November 5.

“Hello, Manila. I can’t wait to see all of you this November,” Iverson said in an email. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to come out there and be a part of a good cause for the poor and homeless Filipinos.”

“I hope all of you would come out and support us in this project,” the 11-time All-Star added.

Presented by PCWorx, the said event will feature Iverson calling the shots for the Ball Up crew against Arenas, Curry, Johnson, and a local selection to be made up of players from the UAAP, NCAA, and PBA.

Iverson is currently busy touring the United States holding basketball clinics. Gary Moore, Iverson’s longtime manager and close friend, said it is part of the 1996 NBA Draft top pick and future Hall of Famer’s preparations as he seriously plans to venture into coaching in the near future.

“Allen is really looking forward to coming to the Philippines to meet his Filipino fans. Although he’s already retired, Allen is still very passionate about basketball and loves sharing his knowledge and experiences and we’re sure that by visiting Manila, Allen will have a wider reach and inspire more people,” Moore expressed.

Supported by Samsung, NBA Café, Accel, and Rapoo, tickets to “All In” are now available at all SM Tickets outlets, PCWorx branches, and online at www.smtickets.com. Ticket prices are pegged at P6,500 (VIP), P5,500 (Patron), P4,000 (Lower Box), P2,000 (Upper Box), and P600 (General Admission).