(Photo courtesy of the Portland Trail Blazers/NBPA/Getty Images)
“The Glide” has landed in Manila.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler headlines the week-long NBA Madness Philippines, an event catering to the basketball-crazed enthusiast, to be held on September 28 to October 2 in partnership between the NBA and Solar Entertainment.
Joining him in this event being held for the eighth time in the country will be the dance teams of the Orlando Magic (Silver Stars) and the Portland Trail Blazers (BlazerDancers), who will be conducting dance clinics in various universities and colleges all over the Metro Manila area in their Team Spirit School Tour.
Slated to star the event made possible by Gatorade and Asia Miles will be the Team Spirit Festival to be held at SM Southmall (October 1) and at the SM Mall of Asia (October 2), filled with fun activity booths that includes an NBA 2K12 gaming booth and a whole day filled with basketball events that would leave the basketball-frenzied wanting more.
Highlighting those two dates will be the Clyde Drexler Challenge, where hoops enthusiasts could compete in a three-station challenge aiming for grand prizes of Php50,000 plus Php20,000 worth of gift certificates.
Also, the Team Spirit School Champion Search, a cheering competition, pits eight college and university cheering squads compete for the top prize of Php50,000 plus Php20,000 worth of gift certificates.
Also, as part of the NBA Cares program, a Read To Achieve session at the Skydome at SM City North EDSA will be held on September 29 in partnership with the SM Foundation.
The 6-foot-7 guard/forward won his only championship ring with the Houston Rockets in 1995 after being traded in mid-season by the Portland Trail Blazers, who drafted him as the 14th overall pick in 1983, and was reunited with former University of Houston teammate Hakeem Olajuwon. He was also part of the 1992 United States of America “Dream Team” that was regarded as the most dominant Olympic men’s basketball team that was ever assembled.
In a span of 15 years as a pro, Drexler garnered a total of 22,195 points (20.4 points per game), 6,125 assists (5.6 assists per game), and 2,207 steals (2.03 steals per game) and was named to 10 NBA All-Star Teams, 5 All-NBA Teams, as well as being honored as of the 50 Greatest Players in league history. He was enshrined to the Hall of Fame both as a player in 2004, and as part of the “Dream Team” in 2010.
This event is also made possible by Spalding, SM Supermalls, Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV, Solar Sports, and Studio 23.
HIGHLIGHTS OF NBA MADNESS PHILIPPINES 2011
September 29: Skydome at SM North EDSA
2-3pm: NBA Cares
October 1: SM Southmall
11am-6pm: Team Spirit Festival
6-8:30pm: Interactive Viewing Party
October 2: SM Mall of Asia
11am-6pm: Team Spirit Festival
4-6:30pm: Interactive Viewing Party
