A 10-man team made up of four NBA Legends and six NBDL (National Basketball Development League) players is definitely arriving in Manila to see action in a one-game exhibition at the Araneta Coliseum on Aug. 27.
NBA Asia’s Carlo Singson and Solar’s Vitto Lazatin conferred with the Araneta Group’s Siena Olaso the other day to finalize logistical arrangements for the game which will feature a different format from last year when the visitors beat a PBA selection of five Legends and 10 All-Stars coached by Yeng Guiao, 109-86.
Lazatin said two teams will be formed to play against each other with the NBA Legends and D-Leaguers split to join locals on both sides. He added that the new format has been cleared with PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios and deputy commissioner Chito Salud.
“We’re looking forward to another successful game,” said Lazatin, recalling the big crowd that witnessed last year’s match featuring NBA Legends Dominique Wilkins, Tim Hardaway, Robert Horry and Vlade Divac with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in coach Rory White’s staff. “This time, we’re splitting up the Legends and D-Leaguers to make the game more competitive and interesting as they’ll be playing alongside locals. Working together as a team now becomes a priority and it’s a challenge for both sides to jell as quickly as possible.”
It will be the second staging of the NBA Asia Challenge which is envisioned to be an annual event organized by NBA Asia and Solar.
Lazatin said the NBA hasn’t finalized the lineup that’s coming to town even as Solar has submitted a “wish list” including Penny Hardaway, Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon.
“It really depends on who’s available,” said Lazatin. “At the moment, there’s nothing definite on who’s coming so the suspense is building up. The NBA knows how popular basketball is in the Philippines so they’re making sure of bringing in a quality roster. We got a bonus last year when Kareem showed up with the coaching staff. Maybe, we’ll get another bonus this year. As it is, we know the visitors will include an NBA dance team and a mascot. We’ll be creating an actual NBA experience for Filipino fans.”
Last year, the NBA Legends were reinforced by six D-Leaguers, including NBA veterans Billy Thomas and Derrick Dial. Thomas was formerly a PBA import with Tanduay. The PBA cast was composed of Legends Allan Caidic, Alvin Patrimonio, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras and Kenneth Duremdes and All-Stars Arwind Santos, Willie Miller, Sonny Thoss, Dondon Hontiveros, Marc Pingris, Joseph Yeo, Rico Villanueva, Asi Taulava, Wynne Arboleda and Jay-R Reyes.
Lazatin said the local lineup also hasn’t been finalized but hinted that it will be fully-loaded.
“If the Big J (Sonny Jaworski) is free, it would be an honor for the NBA and Solar to enlist the Living Legend as a player or coach or both,” said Lazatin. “The PBA season will have just finished so we’re hoping the league’s stars will be available to play.”
Lazatin said mixing and matching the visitors with local players will add to the excitement of the NBA Asia Challenge. “It’ll be an intriguing game,” he went on. “We expect to set up practices for the players to get familiar with each other, for the coaches to decide roles and who does what. We’ll see a lot of offense, that’s for sure – alley-oops, three-pointers, dunks and dazzling passes. But the team that’s able to play better defense will have a big advantage. Chemistry will be an issue. I think the game won’t only be fun to watch but also, a big thrill for Filipino fans. Personally, I can’t wait for the tip-off.”
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