Iverson, pals due for local tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Former NBA star Allen Iverson has confirmed his Manila visit in November, bringing with him his street ball peers – Ball Up – for a friendly match against a local selection.

Sheryl Reyes, player-agent to imports and former and current NBA and PBA players around Asia, bared that the former 11-time All-Star’s Manila joust will also be held for a series of charity events.

“For this particular event, Allen will be introduced as a coach. He will be bringing with him his street ball peers, Ball Up, for a friendly match against a local selection which will be named soon,” according to Reyes during a press briefing at Stephon Marbury’s, another former NBA superstar, outreach project at the Bonifacio Global City recently.

Iverson’s forthcoming Manila visit, dubbed “All In,” will be launched this Friday at NBA Café at SM Aura in Taguig.

“It’s what he wants and he has a couple of schedules right now for basketball clinics. He’s doing clinics for kids, that’s already the direction he’s (Iverson) going to so we want to support him,” said Reyes.

In a short statement, Iverson himself expressed his excitement over his upcoming Manila visit.

“I’m looking forward to my coming visit to Manila. I’ve heard a lot of good stories about the Philippines, specifically about Filipino basketball fans. See you all real soon,” said Iverson via e-mail.

Reyes and his US management team, Moore Management Entertainment, recently sealed the deal with PcWorx to bring the former NBA MVP and four-time scoring champion to the Philippines for a charity basketball game that will benefit Gawad Kalinga.

However, Reyes was also quick to give a disclaimer that Iverson will not be donning a uniform and step on the court to showcase his famous, cat-quick crossovers.

Iverson was the top rookie pick in the 1996 NBA Draft and went on to be one of the NBA’s superstars.