MANILA, Philippines - Sasagupain ng Gilas Pilipinas ang isang star-studded NBA team sa tinaguriang ‘The Last Home Stand’ ngayong gabi at bukas sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ang NBA Selection ay pamumunuan nina 2014 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clipper Blake Griffin at Houston Rocket James Harden.
Sasagupain sila ng Nationals ngayong alas-7:30 ng gabi. Muli silang magtatagpo bukas ng alas-6:30 ng gabi sa Big Dome.
Kasama rin sa PLDT Home Fibr All-Stars sina Tyson Chandler, Ed Davis, Paul George, Brandon Jennings, Terrence Ross, Damian Lillard, DeMar DeRozan, Nick Johnson at Kyle Lowry.
Ang event ay inilalaan ng nag-oorganisang PLDT Home para sa charity sa ilalim ng MVP Sports Foundation po-verty-alleviation program.
Nangako si head coach John Lucas II na bibigyan nila ng magandang laban ang Gilas Pilipinas para makatulong sa preparasyon ng grupo sa FIBA World Cup sa Spain sa Setyembre.
“The challenge is not just about basketball but to really be of help,” wika ni Lucas, isang dating NBA star at ngayon ay isa sa mga nangungunang elite basketball skills development specialist.
Magdaraos si Lucas ng short clinic sessions para sa dalawang koponan sa harap ng mga fans bago ang kanilang mga laro.
“A lot of these guys (American players) may also go to Spain. So this event is a good chance for these players to watch one another,” ani Lucas.
Sina Harden at Chandler ay mga miyembro ng gold-medal winning US team noong 2012 London Olympics.
Kasama din sila nga-yon sa US pool bukod kina Griffin, Leonard, George at Lillard.
“They’re (Gilas) team oriented. They play well as a team. I’ve had an opportunity to work with them,” wika ni Harden, kasama sa NBA squad na sumagupa sa Gilas I team sa Big Dome noong 2011.
“I’ve heard a lot about the Philippines from (San Antonio assistant) coach (Chip Engelland) -- the passion, the people, the culture. We’ll inter-active with the people and the culture,” ani Leonard.
Muling ibabandera ng Gilas sina Jimmy Alapag, Larry Fonacier, Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, Marc Pingris, Marcus Douthit, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Jay Washington, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gary David, Jared Dillinger, LA Tenorio, Beau Belga at Paul Lee.