Sam Perkins (left) FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Former NBA player and Olympic gold medalist Sam Perkins is scheduled to pay Manila a visit next week to promote the NBA Global Games in the country, the league announced on Friday.
Perkins will spearhead the “100 Day Countdown” event, conduct mall visits and attend special programs arranged by the league and partner SM group.
The Indiana Pacers, Perkins’ former squad, will clash with Houston Rockets in the first ever NBA pre-season game in the Philippines on October 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The NBA Global Games will see eight NBA teams play in eight cities in six countries this October, including Manila, as also the first ever stop of the NBA in Southeast Asia.
Perkins played in the NBA from 1984 to 2001, and was part of the United States’ national team which won gold in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.