NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan to visit PH for NBA 3X

By: Mark Giongco - 10 years ago

Toronto Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan. AP

MANILA, Philippines — NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan will headline this year’s NBA 3X Philippines from July 4-6 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

DeRozan, the Toronto Raptors swingman, will help facilitate basketball clinics apart from interacting with his fans.

“I’m excited for my first visit to the Philippines to experience the country’s unique culture and to be a part of NBA 3X,” DeRozan said.

“Filipinos are world-renowned for their passion for the NBA and I can’t wait for this exciting showcase of their basketball skills.”

The NBA 3X Philippines presented by Sprite gives a wide-range of basketball activities to its fans from slam dunk contests, 3-point shootouts, skills challenges to autograph sessions aside from the 3-on-3 competition itself.

The 3×3 tournament features several divisions such as boys under-18, under-16 and under-13 while there will be under-18 and under-16 groups for girls. There will also be open divisions for men and women and a by invitation only celebrity division.

“NBA fans in the Philippines have been treated to a historic year of activities with the staging of the first-ever NBA preseason in Southeast Asia in Manila, followed by the opening of NBA Cafe Manila—a first-of-its-kind NBA destination,” said NBA Asia country manager Carlo Singson.

“With the return of NBA 3X Philippines presented by Sprite, we continue our goal of providing our loyal supporters with authentic ways to engage with the NBA, be it through events, television programming, NBA.com or social media,” Singson added.

Registration is open until June 27 or until slots are filled.

DeRozan took the Raptors to their first trip to the Playoffs since the 2007-08 NBA Season where they fell a win short of advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Last year, NBA 3X Philippines brought in Eric Gordon and James Harded to grace the event.