NBA legend Allen Iverson says he’s excited to see his team play on Wednesday in a charity game at the Mall of Asia Arena. Iverson won’t play and instead will coach the Ball Up team, composed of renowned streetball legends. MARK GIONGCO
MANILA, Philippines — For all of Allen Iverson’s accomplishments throughout his celebrated basketball career — from winning an NBA MVP award to 11 All-Star citations — his trip here is just another chance for him to give back.
Iverson arrived here Monday for a two-day charity event, the highlight of which is a basketball game on Wednesday for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga.
“It sure is a great opportunity for me to come out here and do something special and go help somebody,” said Iverson during the event’s press conference at the NBA Cafe Tuesday at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. “Like I said, so many people helped me along the way, so doing something for somebody else is a no-brainer for me.”
The 39-year-old Iverson already said it himself that he won’t be suiting up as he tries his hand in coaching the Ball Up team, a squad made up of renowned streetball legends, against some of the country’s local stars.
One of the best guards during his heyday, Iverson made the basketball court his stage and now as Ball Up’s coach, he vowed his team will do the same in the “All In” basketball game.
“The guys that are here are all about excitement,” Iverson, who was named to the All-NBA First Team three times, said. “The guys on this roster are going to give them (fans) something they’ll never forget and something they will cherish for the rest of their lives. They’re going to put on a show. That’s what they do night in and night out.”
There will be no shortage of highlights with the likes of Larry Williams, who earned the nickname “Bone Collector” for his ability to break defenders’ ankles with his dribbling skills, and “Air Up There” Taurian Fontenette, a slam dunk specialist, bringing their street game to the Mall of Asia Arena before basketball-crazy Filipinos.
“I break ankles. And it’s only fitting that Allen Iverson is my coach because I know he’s going to call plays just for me to break somebody down,” said Williams.
“I’m a dunker and I like to bring highlights and excitement to the basketball game,” said Fontenette, who knows a lot about the Philippines being a former college roommate of PBA forward 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.”
Iverson and Tim Cone will also conduct a basketball clinic for aged 10-15 at the Gawad Kalinga Bulaklakan Chapter in Barangay (village) Holy Spirit in Quezon City on November 4.
Cone, the winningest coach in PBA history, will steer a team composed of college standouts Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng, PBA legend Jerry Codiñera and his fellow ex-pros Willie Miller and Renren Ritualo.
Eddy Curry, who was a member of the Miami Heat team that won the championship in 2012 and DerMarr Johnson, a former eight-year NBA veteran and was an import for Barako Bull in 2012, will beef up the Filipino team.
“People will enjoy the game and cherish it for the rest of their lives,” assured the former Rookie of the Year Iverson, the top overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the star-studded 1996 NBA Draft. “I won’t be playing but I can’t wait to see them perform.”
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