Sprite Brings NBA 3-on-3 in the Philippines

Being one of the greatest basketball fans, NBA had chosen the Philippines to be part of their program aimed at promoting basketball amongst casual and competitive basketball fans around the world. This program, dubbed as NBA 3-on-3 Philippines 2011, is brought to us by Sprite and is open to boys and girls of all skill levels from the ages of 11 – 19, with an open division for men, and based on FIBA 3on3 format and rules. And since this event promised at providing the participants and fans with the total NBA experience, they are bringing along Horace Grant and the New York Knick Dancers!

Earlier, a press conference was held at Marriott Manila Hotel. Luckily, I was able to squeeze in and be invited as media. Everybody knows that I'm a huge basketball fan. We even celebrated Dallas Mavericks Championship right? So, even alone, I head on to the venue and is with much delight knowing that I'll be seeing a 4-time NBA champion who had played alongside Michael Jordan.

Horace Grant and the New York Knicks Dancers

The media were given the chance to throw in questions. With much courage, I raise my hand and asked Horace Grant, "Which do you prefer, playing alongside Michale Jordan; or playing against him?"

Horace Grant playing alongside Michael Jordan

Horace Grant playing against Michael Jordan

As expected, he choses to play alongside MJ; but his reason behind his answer made me admire MJ all the more. In a nutshell, he explained that playing alongside MJ enabled him to know more about himself - that he can do things which he did not expect he can.

There are a number of questions thrown at him and the NY Knicks Dancers together with Michelle Harriss. But those that made a mark on my memory are:

• If he would choose his teammates to play 3-on-3 against Miami Heat's Big 3, he'll choose Michael Jordan and the Black Mamba, and they'll kick ass!
• His thoughts on Dallas Mavericks as compared to Chicago Bulls (his time), a very confident "Dallas won't have a chance"
• Which is the better duo, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen or Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, definitely MJ and Pippen simply because Shaq can't shoot his free throws.

He is also asked what is the ring that he's wearing. He said that it was his second championship ring (Calling LBJ, he got a ring, LOL!). Then he showed off his four championship rings and the media are given the chance to take a picture of it. Unfortunately, I am no photography expert; at the same time, I had not bring along my photographer with me; hence, please bear with the pictures I was able to take.

Horace Grant and his second championship ring

Horace Grant showing off his four championship rings

After the question and answer, picture taking commenced. I tried to find a perfect place to take pictures, but it was an epic fail.

With Criselle Pascual, Sprite Brand Manager, and Scott Levy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, NBA Asia

I also followed him as he left the conference room; but still, having a picture with him is a failure. *sigh* Anyway, I still got slim chances up to the 3rd of July. Following are the schedule of Sprite's NBA 3-on-3 Philippines 2011:

Friday, July 1 : GAME DAY 1

• 11.00am
  Activity: Welcome Press Conference and Horace Grant Q&A
  Venue: Marriott Hotel Manila
  Guests: NBA Legend Horace Grant and the New York Knicks City Dancers (KCD), NBA Asia’s Scott Levy
• 3.30pm
  Activity: Opening Ceremony
  Venue: Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
  Guests: NBA Legend Horace Grant, KCD, NBA 3on3 players

Saturday, July 2 : GAME DAY 2

• 10:00am
  Activity: NBA Cares Activity
  Venue: TBC
  Guests: NBA Legend Horace Grant
• 11.00am – 11:40am
  Activity: Sprite Slam Dunk Contest
  Venue: Court 1, Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
• 1:00pm – 1:40pm
  Activity: NBA Half Time and Sprite Dunk Off
  Venue: Court 1, Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
  Guests: NBA Legend Horace Grant, KCD, Event Partners
• 2:00pm – 2:40pm
  Activity: Interactive Fan Activities
  Venue: Courts 1-2, Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
  Guests: NBA Legend Horace Grant, KCD

Sunday, July 3 : FINALS

• 11.00am – 11:40am
  Activity: Energen Skills Challenge
  Venue: Court 1, Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
• 1:00pm – 1:40pm
  Activity: NBA Half Time and Energen Skills Challenge Finals
  Venue: Court 1, Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
  Guests: NBA Legend Horace Grant, KCD, Event Partners
• 2:00pm – 4:00pm
  Activity: Interactive Fan Activities
  Venue: Court 2, Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
  Guests: NBA Legend Horace Grant, KCD
• 2:40pm – 5:00pm
  Activity: NBA 3on3 Finals
  Venue: Court 1, Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
  Guests: NBA Legend Horace Grant, KCD, NBA 3on3 Finalists
• 5:20pm
  Activity: NBA Awards Presentation
  Venue: Court 1, Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
  Guests: NBA Legend Horace Grant, KCD

I am really hoping I could have a picture with him before he left Manila. A big thanks to the sponsors of this event. For a big basketball fan like me, this is not just a simple pleasure; this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

A little trivia for Sprite. My mother used to have a skin problem. She consulted a dermatologist for that matter. She had undergone treatment and there are a number of food that she is not allowed to eat/drink, part of which states that, "No soda, only Sprite!"