Dikembe Mutombo gives NBA Jr stars surprise visit

MANILA, Philippines - NBA Hall of Fame center Dikembe Mutombo made a surprise appearance in the Jr. NBA Program yesterday, joining Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton and WNBA Hall of Famer Sue Wicks and inspiring the campers at the Music Hall and Activity Center of MOA in Pasay.

“Mahal ko kayo (I love you all),” the 50-year-old Mutombo told the young participants of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2017 presented by Alaska.

Mutombo played for 18 NBA seasons with six different teams and retired as one of the league’s best defensive big men. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award four times (tied for first with Ben Wallace), was second all-time in blocks with a total of 3,289 (next only to Hakeem Olajuwon’s 3,830) and placed 21st in rebounds with 12,359.

Meanwhile, Kenji Duremdes and Echo Laure shone and led 16 All-Stars selected in the program.

Duremdes, son of former PBA star Kenneth, was named Jr. NBA All Star MVP, the second straight second-generation player to nail the plum after Kai Sotto, son of another ex-pro Ervin, snared the award last year.

Dietherd Torres, Jeryk Dwight, Rafael Bait, Ian Dominique Espinosa, Johndel Austria, Jan Clement Macalalag and Lenhard Jumamoy were also included in the elite list.

Among those picked in the Jr. WNBA All-Star squad were Chinnsai Demana, Camille Nolasco, Lindsey Nacional, Jihann Nicole Ahmed, Kaycee Ann De Mesa, Jane Araza, Jazmine Maniquiz and Boni Solis, the girls MVP.

Laure, younger sister of volley stars EJ and Eya, and Nolasco were also named the Alaska Ambassadors.

Jed Cabellon and Katrina Biongcog shared the Coaches of the Year honors.