DeRozan, Johnson hit town for NBA 3X 2014

MANILA, Philippines – Fast-rising NBA stars DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors and Wesley Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers will highlight the NBA 3X Philippines 2014 presented by Sprite starting Friday and ending this weekend at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.

DeRozan and Johnson will be accompanied by the Raptors Dance Pak and Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson The Lion in the event that will also feature free fan activities like a slam dunk contest, basketball clinics, 3-point shootouts, skills challenges, autograph sessions and the tournament proper, which is on its fourth year now.

While DeRozan and Johnson showed excitement over their Manila visit, their minds are tuned in on the NBA free agency back home.

In fact, DeRozan, drafted ninth overall by Toronto five years ago and was a first-time All-Star this season, learned the news here when news broke out that the Raptors have re-signed star point guard Kyle Lowry to a $48 million four-year contract.

"S/o (shoutout) to my dog @Klow7 (Kyle Lowry)! Well deserved! #ProveEm," said DeRozan on his Twitter account @DeMar_DeRozan during NBA 3X Phl 2014 presented by Sprite press launch at the NBA Cafe inside the SM Aura Thursday.

Lowry and DeRozan, of course, were vital cogs in helping the Raptors reach the playoffs for the first since making it that far in 2008.

For Johnson, who was the fourth overall pick of the 2010 draft who is now an unrestricted free agent, he's still waiting for calls on what team he's landing next.

"I've talked to three teams," said Johnson, who had a career high in points (9.1), blocks (1), steals (1.1) and rebounds (4.4) since signing with the Lakers last year, referring to the Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans.

NBA Philippines country manager Carlo Singson, for his part, expressed delight in bringing Filipino NBA fans another treat.

"NBA fans in the Philippines have been treated to a historic year of activities with the staging of the first ever NBA preseason game in Manila, followed by the opening of the NBA Cafe Manila, which is a first-of-its-kind destination," said Singson, who was accompanied by Scott Levy of NBA Asia and Sprite's Atty. Adel Tamano.