Air Up There, Bone Collector, Special FX, ready to “Ball Up” in Manila

MANILA, Philippines -- They’re known all over the world as daredevils on the court with their gravity-defying slamdunks and dizzying handles and footworks. And they can’t wait to showcase their wares in front of Filipino basketball fans.

Minutes before boarding their Philippine Airlines flight bound for Manila, Taurian Fontenette, Larry Williams, and Ryan Williams couldn't hide their excitement in their first trip to the Philippines.

The trio are part of the seven-man Ball Up Streetball All-Stars who’ll be carrying Team Gawad Kalinga in charity basketball event “All In,” headlined by no less than former NBA MVP and 11-time All-Star Allen Iverson. They will be joined by former PBA stars Jerry Codinera, Willie Miller, and Renren Ritualo as they battle the UAAP-NCAA selection Team PCWorx to be reinforced by former NBA stars Eddy Curry and DerMarr Johnson. The basketball fundraiser, presented by PCWorx, is set on Wednesday, November 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 6-foot-3 Fontenette, known to streetball fans as “Air Up There”, and popularized the widely-documented 720-degree dunk said he is no stranger to how hoops-crazy Filipinos are. His knowledge about Filipino basketball came from his former college roommate and now PBA player Joe DeVance.

“I’m just looking forward to being in the Philippines for the first time. Joe has told me so much about basketball in the country and I can’t wait to see it for myself and do what I love against global talent,” said Fontenette.

Larry Williams, the Rucker Park legend called “Bone Collector,” expressed his excitement in meeting his Filipino fans who he said makes up a large percentage of his social media followers.

“A lot of my fans have reached out to me on social media and made me aware of how Fiipinos love basketball,” he quipped.  “I can’t wait to perform in Manila, especially for those who haven’t seen me play in person yet.”

Ryan Williams, on the other hand, says, he admires the talent Filipinos have in the game of hoops. He regularly plays with Filipino-Americans in New York City where he was born and raised, and would catch PBA highlights online from time to time.

“I play in a Filipino league in NYC, so I pretty much have an idea about the Philippines’ brand of basketball. I also know how passionate the fans are and the Filipino players play hard. That’s my type of atmosphere,” Williams, nicknamed “Special FX” because of innovative dunks, expressed.

Prior to the charity game, Iverson and Cone will hold a youth basketball clinic for those aged 10-15 at the Gawad Kalinga Bulaklakan Chapter in Bgy. Holy Spirit in Quezon City on November 4.

Also backed by, NBA Café Manila, Solaire Resort and Casino, Samsung, Intel, Microsoft, PhilCare, Canon, Rapoo, Accel, and the Mall of Asia Arena, tickets to “All In” are still available, at 50% off, online at www.smtickets.com, all SM Tickets outlets, and select PCWorx branches in Metro Manila.