Blockbuster NBA Asia bash up; ‘Triggerman’ piques Rice curiosity

MANILA, Philippines—A PBA Legend’s moniker got former NBA All-Star Glen Rice all curious.   “I’m really interested in meeting ‘The Trigger’ and see what me and him can do,” said Rice. “He’s called The Trigger for no other reason than he’s a great shooter, and I respect that. Two great shooters coming together, you’ll see a lot of fireworks.”   The Trigger is actually “The Triggerman” Allan Caidic, one of the country’s all-time best shooters, who will team up with Rice himself and nine-time NBA All-Star cager Gary Payton in the NBA Asia Challenge 2010 this Friday.   The event, also featuring NBA Legends Chris Webber and Mitch Richmond, pits two teams with mixed rosters that also include NBA Development League players and past and present PBA stars.   Gametime is 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.   “I know they’re going to expect me to dunk, but I won’t be able to do that,” Webber said with a laugh in Tuesday’s press conference at the Fiesta San Miguel, Dusit Thani hotel in Makati City.   “I’m going to try,” he added.   “I’m going to make it more for the fans,” said Payton, who won the 2006 NBA championship with Miami. “I want to go to the stands, touch the fans, have photos taken with them. I think it’s fun.”   Alaska coach Tim Cone will call the shots for the Red Team bannered by Payton and Rice, who will team up with Caidic, Atoy Co, Vergel Meneses, Asi Taulava, LA Tenorio, Arwind Santos and D-League players Darnell Lazare and Chris McCray.   Leading the Whites are Webber and Richmond along with Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc, Ronald Tubid, Rico Maierhofer, Dondon Hontiveros.   San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen will mentor the squad also backstopped by D-League cagers Mark Tyndale and Richie Frahm.