MANILA, Philippines – Former NBA MVP Allen Iverson wishes to be back here after witnessing a thrilling finish to the All In Charity Game that he headlined, not as a player but as a coach.
Some 5,000 fans went home satisfied and got their money’s worth even though they did not see the killer crossovers that made Iverson an 11-time NBA All Star as he just settled with his cameo role as a coach.
The home team coached by PBA two-time Grandslam coach Tim Cone stunned Iverson’s team BallUp streetballers, 98-96, on a Kiefer Ravena game-winner.
Though Iverson was at the losing end, he was satisfied with the way the charity game turned out that made the fans happy.
“I just want to say thank you for coming out, for support. It was really an entertaining game. Both teams played well. Let’s do it again sometime,” said Iverson in the post-game interview with his last line earning loud cheers from the crowd.
Greatness enveloped the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday night as The Living Legend Sonny Jaworski also came in to join Iverson and Cone in a gathering of basketball legends in their own ranks.
The world-class arena was already filled with ooohs and aaahs as the BallUp streetballers showcased their dribbling wizardry and their repertoire of jaw-dropping dunks when Sonny Jaworski together with his family entered the building.
The fans immediately acknowledged the arrival of the Living Legend that briefly stole the thunder from Iverson.
Jaworski, the former Ginebra playing-coach, stood side by side with Iverson at halftime on the center court. The former senator thanked Iverson for lending his hand in this charity project and the fans that came out to show their support.
All the proceeds of the charity game will go to Gawad Kalinga’s housing project in Quezon City which Iverson visited on Wednesday, a few hours before the game.