LeBron back in Manila soon

JAMES: Aug. 19 AP

NBA superstar LeBron James is heading back to Manila, while Spanish standout Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves gets to visit the country for the first time in separate promotional events backed by two top shoe brands this month.

James, the two-time NBA champion and four-time league MVP, is to arrive on Aug. 19 to serve as mentor for Nike Rise, a basketball development program featuring 24 teenaged players from all over the country.

Nike Philippines made the announcement on its Twitter account yesterday, saying the Cleveland Cavaliers forward “will be arriving to inspire Team Rise and Pinoy basketball to the next level.”

James first visited the country in 2013 in a one-day blockbuster tour, billed as “Witness History,” at Mall of Asia Arena.

Rubio, one of the leaders of the Timberwolves’ young core, will be in Manila from Aug. 21 to 23 for the Adidas Take On Tour.

“Fans can expect … more than just basketball from [Rubio] in a series of activities meant to bring him closer to the Filipinos,” Adidas said in a statement Monday.

The 24-year-old Rubio is the youngest player to see action in the Spanish basketball league at age 14 and the youngest in an Olympic basketball finals at 17.