Yao Ming, Luis Scola arrive in Manila for Fiba World Cup 2023 draw

Argentinian basketball star Luis Scola. –HANDOUT PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Former NBA stars Luis Scola and Yao Ming touched down in the Philippines before the Fiba World Cup 2023 main draw on Saturday.

Scola, a global ambassador for the Fiba World Cup 2023, arrived in Manila Thursday night while Yao descended on Friday.

“There’s a few places in the world that have a passion for basketball as we have here in the Philippines, so it’s a great community,” Scola said in an interview with News5’s Martie Bautista.

Scola led Argentina during his heyday as a household name for Fiba stints.

The former Indiana Pacer’s Fiba World Cup run in 2014 included a neck-and-neck affair with Gilas Pilipinas, where Argentina won, 85-81.

FILE – Former NBA basketball star Yao Ming of China. (Photo by Noel Celis / AFP)

Yao, on the other hand, imprinted his name on the basketball world as one-half of the Houston Rockets’ dynamic duo back in the 2000s alongside Tracy McGrady.

Yao was also a dependable name for China when it came to Fiba tournament before he officially retired in 2011.

Both veterans of the NBA will be joined by fellow stars Carmelo Anthony and Pau Gasol for the main draw.

Dirk Nowitzki also arrived in the country on Thursday, playing the role of representative in Fiba’s Central Board.

Saturday’s draw, which will also include appearances from Sarah Geronimo, Billy Crawford and world-renowned rap artist Saweetie, will happen at 8 pm.