PLDT All-Star Basketball Challenge airs on AKTV

MANILA, Philippines - The PLDT All-Star Basketball Challenge that featured US All-Star basketball favorites Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Jason Williams against the best Philippine basketball players such as Kenneth Duremdes, Jojo Lastimosa and Jerry Codiñera will air on AKTV on IBC 13 today at 8 p.m. Replay will be on July 27 at 9 p.m.

Williams wowed Filipino fans with several fancy passes to his teammates and scored numerous three-pointers while Scottie Pippen drew the loudest cheers for his slam dunks. The former Chicago Bulls forward converted off-the-backboard pass from Williams for a superb highlight reel that fans will never forget.

Displaying moves reminiscent of their playing days, the Philippine All-Stars were not to be upstaged especially since they had the homecourt advantage. Marlou Aquino, Duremdes, Nelson Asaytono and Noli Locsin were all crowd favorites during the game.

The friendly match halted with 16 seconds left as Pippen and teammate Dennis Rodman addressed the crowd. Rodman acknowledged his father, Philander, who was watching in the crowd. The younger Rodman’s tiff with his father was very evident last time the former played in the Philippines.

The elder Rodman, a former US Air Force pilot, is now based in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The UP PEP Squad also provided the opening and halftime numbers beforef fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena July 18.

The All Star Basketball Challenge was presented by PLDT and Mall of Asia Arena with Sports5 as the official broadcast partner. Other sponsors were Alaska, McDonald’s, Microtel Hotel, Molten, Pharex, Outlast Batteries, and SMART.