In my younger years (well, technically I’m still young since I’m only 27) I used to watch the NBA. I started following NBA games since 1992 and back then I was a Chicago Bulls fan. I’ve seen Michael Jordan retire and came back with his gravity defying moves. Also, I play basketball as a past time. Well, that was when I haven’t discovered the Internet yet.
After school I would also rush home just to watch PBA games, a local basketball league here in the Philippines. In my room, I have a collection of Michael Jordan posters as well as his action figures. When I was on my second year in high school, I even used to play in a league in our subdivision in Cebu.

Gone are those days when I could still jump and reach the basketball ring. I blame the Internet. LOL. Around year 2000, when Internet was still a luxury to everyone, I started losing track of NBA and PBA games. My addiction to internet chatting such as Freetel, Telnet and mIRC killed my passion for basketball. Funny thing, when I tried playing basketball way back year 2005, I can’t even reach the backboard of the basketball ring. No more three point shots and jump shots for me. And worst of all, last year 2008 when I was in Dubai, I didn’t last for more than10 minutes. And that’s a one on one with my brother in law. So from there, I started accepting the fact that basketball isn’t for me anymore.

When I saw the news in TV, I immediately rushed to check the internet about this event. Oh my god! It’s real. The NBA legends are here to play…with the PBA ALL STARS! Ticketed to play are two-time slam dunk champion Dominique Wilkins, 49, 7-1 center Vlade Divac, 41, crossover killer Tim Hardaway, 43, and 16-year veteran Robert Horry, 38. The visitors will be coached by another legend Lenny Wilkens with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a “celebrity assistant.” At first I thought I saw Will Smith, later on I recognized it was Robert Horry. Adding visual impact and kinetic energy to the historic moment will be the high-flying New Jersey Nets Dunkin’ Divas and Nets’ mascot Sly the Silver Fox.

And as for the PBA lineup, it includes Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras, and Kenneth Duremdes. I can’t wait to watch this exhibition game which is about to be written in the history of sports here in Philippines, and all over the world.

Tickets for the first-ever NBA Asia Challenge are now on sale at Ticketnet outlets at SM Malls, or online at www.ticketnet.com.ph.  Ticket prices are at P2,640 (Patron), P2112 (Lower Box), P1320 (Upper Box A), P792 (Upper Box B) and P264 (General Admission).