Beijing Ducks to play MBA teams

The Beijing Ducks, one of the top teams in the Chinese Basketball Association, will be arriving on May 31 to play a series of goodwill games against their counterparts from the Metropolitan Basketball Association.

Ranked fourth in the Chinese professional league, the Ducks are expected to be tall, tough and sweet-shooting like their predecessors who have visited the country since 1985.

"We want the Ducks to be part of the observance of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China," said Alvin Tai Lian, president of the Philippine Integrated Chinese Athletic Association (PICAA) which is coordinating the visit with the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Athletic Association (FICFAA).

"We expect an interesting series though the Ducks will be here primarily to foster friendship," said FICFAA president and organizing committee head Lee Teck.

Being eyed to play the Ducks are the Davao Eagles, the Cebu Gems and a Metro-Manila based squad.

The Ducks, to be led by hulking national player Bateer, will be known as BESTANK-Beijing during their stint in the country.

Shaogang Corporation, a steel manufacturing conglomerate with interest ranging from the manufacture of needles to spaceship parts, owns the Ducks, who finished with a 7-win, 5-loss record in the CBA this year.