Ex-PBA import in NBA Asia Challenge

MANILA, Philippines - Former Tanduay import Billy Thomas will join five other NBA D-Leaguers in reinforcing legends Dominique Wilkins, Vlade Divac, Tim Hardaway and Robert Horry against a 15-man PBA selection in the one-game NBA Asia Challenge at the Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 11.

NBA Asia’s Carlo Singson yesterday disclosed the full lineup of the visiting team that will engage the PBA All-Stars featuring legends Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras and Kenneth Duremdes.

Coaching the visitors is six-time MVP and Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, making his fourth Manila trip.

Thomas, 33, averaged 27.6 points in 10 games for Tanduay under coach Derick Pumaren in 2001. The 6-5 guard from the University of Kansas has played for the New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers in four NBA seasons.

Aside from Thomas, the other D-Leaguers in Abdul-Jabbar’s roster are 6-4 Derrick Dial of Eastern Michigan (where Mick Pennisi once played), 6-9 Chris Ellis of Wake Forest, 6-9 Marcus Hubbard of Angelo State, 6-3 Russell Robinson of Kansas and 6-3 Clarence (Lanny) Smith of Houston.

Robinson, 23, played on the Kansas varsity that won the NCAA title in 2007-08. The spitfirish guard will take care of the backcourt chores with Hardaway, Smith and Dial against the PBA.

The active players in the PBA cast are Burger King’s Wynne Arboleda and Japeth Aguilar, San Miguel Beer’s Arwind Santos and Dondon Hontiveros, Rain Or Shine’s Jay-R Reyes, Purefoods’ Marc Pingris, Barangay Ginebra’s Enrico Villanueva, Alaska ‘s Sonny Thoss and Willie Miller and Sta. Lucia Realty’s Joseph Yeo.

Aguilar, Santos, Thoss and Miller were on the Powerade national team that finished eighth at the recent FIBA-Asia Championships in Tianjin. It was the first time the Philippines qualified for the quarterfinals in FIBA-Asia in nearly 20 years.

National coach Yeng Guiao has been designated to call the shots for the PBA selection.

Solar marketing manager for basketball properties Vitto Lazatin lauded the PBA for assembling a competitive squad that will surely give the visitors a run for their money.

“PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios was instrumental in making this project possible,” said Lazatin. “Commissioner Barrios has been very supportive since the day we broached the idea of a PBA selection playing the NBA touring team. The issue was discussed in a Board meeting then the PBA finalized the roster during a planning session in Tianjin. The idea of enlisting five PBA legends to match the NBA legends is a knockout and fans are looking forward to a real big treat.”

Tickets for the game are now on sale at all Ticketnet outlets. The ticket prices are P264 for general admission, P792 for upper box B, P1,320 for upper box A, P2,112 for lower box and P2,640 for patron.

Also coming to spice up the event are the New Jersey Nets Dunking Divas and the Nets mascot Sly the Silver Fox.

Lazatin said the visitors are flying in on Sept. 7. A press conference will be held the next day then on Sept. 9, the group will be split to appear in meet-and-greet activities at Megamall, Podium and SM North EDSA before the complete team gathers for a Mall of Asia program from 2 to 5 p.m. An NBA Cares project will be launched on Sept. 10, likely to be a hoop clinic for underprivileged kids.

“We’re bringing the NBA experience to Manila,” said Lazatin. “This is something we’ve all been dreaming to stage for years. For the first time ever, we Filipino fans will be treated to an honest-to-goodness NBA experience. To make the experience even more unforgettable, the legends and D-Leaguers will be available for photographs and autographs. They’re coming to thank the fans and treat all of us to a real high-quality NBA-type game. It’s important that the PBA selection is ready to play hard.”

Abdul-Jabbar, 62, isn’t suiting up but will be active on the sidelines coaching the NBA team. Wilkins, who led the NBA in scoring with a 30.3 clip in 1986, is expected to showcase his usual “highlight reel” antics despite being 49. The two-time NBA Slam Dunk champion is out to prove he’s still got the hops to play above the rim. Divac, 41, is a 7-1 center who will tower over everyone on the court. Hardaway, 43, will dazzle the fans with his dizzying crossover dribble while Horry, 38, will display his three-point shooting ability. The 6-10 Horry hit 7-of-7 triples in a playoff game against Utah in 1997. He has played on seven NBA championship teams with Houston, the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio.