Allen Iverson happy that fans look up to him

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 — Former NBA superstar Allen Iverson may have candidly admitted he no longer has the passion for playing but he still guaranteed Filipino fans a good time when he coaches the Ball Up Streetball All Stars in the PCWorx All In charity basketball game at 7 Wednesday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

“The passion that you saw from me throughout my career is gone,” said Iverson, the 2001 NBA Most Valuable Player, who arrived in Manila last Monday. “I’m done in that stage of my life. I don’t want to do it anymore.”

But the 39-year-old Iverson still enjoys reaching out to fans, that’s why the 11-time NBA All-Star still gets pumped up during international tours, charity events and basketball clinics.

“The fact that I am embraced all over the world for what I did is a good feeling,” he said in a press conference Tuesday at NBA Cafe.

Iverson, known for his moniker “The Answer,” will mentor the all-American Ball Up Streetball crew known for their fancy acts.

The squad, which will also feature PBA legend Jerry Codiñera and other pro veterans, will go up against PBA Grand Slam coach Tim Cone’s selection of collegiate stars headed by Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng and beefed up by former NBA star Eddy Curry.

“The guys who are here to play, they’re about excitement,” said Iverson. “They’re going to put on a show, that’s what they do.”

The Ball Up All-Stars include Grayson “The Professor” Boucher, Larry “Bone Collector” Williams, Taurian “Air Up There” Fontenette, Ryan “Special FX” Williams, Aaron “AO” Owens, Gary “G-Smith” Smith and Anthony “Mr. Afrika” Phimble.

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