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Finally, it's a go. No Durant and Rose as in the initial rumors but we'll settle for CP3 who's better than Rose anyway.

(Thank you, Lockout without you it's not possible that the NBA would visit a 3rd world, whilst basketball-addict, country like outs. )

Kobe, NBA stars to suit up vs Gilas, PBA selection

MANILA, Philippines - Kobe Bryant is coming back.

And the Los Angeles Lakers star is bringing New Orleans guard Chris Paul, former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans and a slew of NBA players in the Smart Ultimate All-Star Weekend for a pair of exhibition games against Smart Gilas Pilipinas and a PBA selection on July 23 and 24, respectively.

After being non-committal about the event during his Nike-organized Take Every Advantage Manila Tour last Wednesday, it was confirmed that Bryant will return to perhaps avenge the loss against Smart Gilas during their exhibition game that day.

“Kobe,Chris Paul,Tyreke Evans,Deandre Jordan,James Harden,Derrick Williams + 2 more @ d Araneta on July 23-24. Buy ur tickets now! 9115555," Talk n' Text head coach Chot Reyes said via his Twitter account @coachchot this morning.

Edit: Durant is coming as well.

The Smart All-Stars Line-up:

Paul/Fisher
Rose/Evans
Bryant/Harden
Durant/Williams
McGee

durden what's up? it's me mr. e

glad kobe and them are in manila

So happy Tyreke Evans is doing work.

10 bucks says he sprains his ankle and comes into training camp at 250 lbs.

Den Masters wrote:durden what's up? it's me mr. e

glad kobe and them are in manila

Oi Pare!

Kobe was actually here (or still here?) for a promotional tour with Nike. He played against some college kids (and the national team) but just for 8 minutes. Hopefully the + 2 in the line-up in this coming exhibition games won't be scrubs so we can see legit NBA starters seeing major minutes.

The price of the tickets is also not bad (350 pesos for the General Admission and 5500 pesos for the patron seats; at current exchange rate of 40 pesos = $1) however, we know how the scalpers work and with the event roughly a week away those prices should probably shoot up to x5 the actual value. So the big question is how to get those tickets as we're pretty sure companies/celebrities have started hoarding them as the event was confirmed around lunch today.

Personally, i am hoping to score a ticket and be among the 20,000+ fans that is expected to pack the Araneta Coliseum.

Broadcast all basketball during lockout PLEASE. Stockpiling the basketball because of the lockout.

Is this against current Filipino players?

Man, I can't wait. See y'all there!

SpeedyG wrote:Is this against current Filipino players?

Yes sir. 2 games, 1 on Saturday and the other on Sunday. First match will be against a collection of stars from the Philippine Basketball Association. Curiously, 16 were put in the line-up, i guess they wanted a piece of CP3 and Kobe and rub elbows (maybe share elbows is the better term ) with them. The next match will be up against the Philippines National Team (Smart Gilas), composed of amateurs and pros + an American (naturalized Filipino)... This game actually becomes an impromptu training session since they are on their preparation stage for the FIBA Asia Championships, the champion of which will gain a spot in London 2012.

Mamba Venom wrote:Broadcast all basketball during lockout PLEASE. Stockpiling the basketball because of the lockout.

Games are scheduled at 7PM Saturday and 1PM Sunday. Pretty sure there's gonna be a stream somewhere.

Just hope nobody gets hurt

Does Marcus Douthit still play in the Philippines?

Yinka_Dare wrote:Does Marcus Douthit still play in the Philippines?

Yes. He was actually formally naturalized 2-3 months ago that's why he can join the team as a "Filipino"

By the way, Kobe Bryant will also serve as the HEAD COACH of the NBA selection (apparently they can't use NBA so they shall be called the Smart All-Stars)

It’s Kobe versus King James.

But while he won’t quite be going up against LeBron, Filipino basketball fans will still be treated to a duel between Bryant and a host of NBA stars against a Philippine Basketball Association selection led by two-time MVP James Yap.

“In behalf of the MVP Sports Foundation, we would like to announce that we’re going to have a select group of NBA players led by Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul playing against the best from the PBA as well as our very own SMART-Gilas,” said Chot Reyes, head coach of the Grand Slam-seeking Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, in a press conference on Friday.

Bryant will be making his playing-coaching debut in a couple of charity exhibition games, on July 23 against the PBA all-stars and on July 24 against the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team.

Fisher will join the team as well:

Los Angeles Laker Derek Fisher is confirmed to join superstars Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul in Manila on July 23 and 24, for two exhibition games with Filipino players at the Araneta Coliseum. Fisher’s participation was confirmed by PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, no less, at the MVP Birthday Run Saturday morning.

http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/derek-fisher-joining-kobe-in-manila-mvp

So far this is how the Smart All-Stars line-up will look like:

PG - Chris Paul/Derek Fisher
SG - Tyreke Evans/James Harden
SF - Kobe Bryant
PF - Derrick Williams
C - Deandre Jordan

Apparently there's another "surprise player" (That's what they said before they said it was Fisher ) we just hope he's not as old as the fish

(

“Kobe,Chris Paul,Tyreke Evans,Deandre Jordan,James Harden,Derrick Williams + 2 more @ d Araneta on July 23-24. Buy ur tickets now! 9115555," Talk n' Text head coach Chot Reyes said via his Twitter account @coachchot this morning.

What are we setting the over/under at on kids calling 911 by mistake trying to dial this #?

Eat some balut for me when you watch the game.

Scuall wrote:Eat some balut for me when you watch the game.

Oh god.

Scuall wrote:Eat some balut for me when you watch the game.

The NBA players themselves do need to eat their balut after the game too. I am pretty sure the pretty local celebrities will line-up for the players after-game fix (Apparently, the gross-looking thingy called balut has the same effect as say, 5 Red Bulls.)

if japeth aguilar can gain more weight and get stronger he can be a nice prospect....

durden_tyler wrote:

Scuall wrote:Eat some balut for me when you watch the game.

The NBA players themselves do need to eat their balut after the game too. I am pretty sure the pretty local celebrities will line-up for the players after-game fix (Apparently, the gross-looking thingy called balut has the same effect as say, 5 Red Bulls.)

lol. I have only eaten the yoke of balut, maybe i should try the bird.

Im hoping our own Manny Pacquiao can stop by and say hi to the NBA players. At least, we can give this NBA players something they can get excited to.

Scuall wrote:Eat some balut for me when you watch the game.

pinoy pride pare

manny pacman will play

looks like this thread are for pinoy members of real gm