Masusubok ang kakayahan ni Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Grandslam coach Timothy Earl Cone kontra sa maalamat na National Basketball Association (NBA) player na si Allen Iverson sa pagsambulat ng benefit game na tinaguriang II All-In II sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Nobyembre 5.
Hahawakan ni Cone ang binuong koponan na pinagsama-sama ang mga manlalaro mula UAAP at NCAA at ex-pros ng PBA kontra naman sa matinding exhibition squad ng mga manlalaro na sinusuportahan naman ni worldwide basketball icon Allen Iverson sa aktibidad na tutulong sa mga mahihirap na nasa pangangalaga ng Gawad Kalinga.
"We all know that Allen Iverson will coach, but he will show some of his pa tented moves at halftime," sabi ni Michael Angelo Chua, Marketing Director ng nag-oorganisang PCWorx at Jeth Troy Rosario ng UAAP champion na National University sa pagdalo sa lingguhang Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum sa Shakey’s, Malate.
“We had also talked with the respective agents of the players that will be coming in at wala naman na nagbabawal sa kanila upang maglaro. Also, iyong Ball Up team ay hindi naman sila under sa NBA,” sabi ni Chua sa lingguhang forum.
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Una munang isasagawa sa Nobyembre 4 ang isang basketball clinic alas-tres ng hapon sa Brgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City kung saan bibigyang halaga ni Iverson ang mga mahihirap na kabataan na maturuan ng basketball.
Inaasahan naman ang masayang salpukan sa pagitan ng 56-anyos na si Cone, na naghatid sa San Mig Super Coffee sa Grandslam ng katatapos PBA 2013-14 o 39th season, at ni Iverson na dating MVP at 11-time All-Star sa NBA.
Isa ang clinic sa mga aktibidad na nakahanay sa pagbisita ni Iverson sa bansa kung saan ang main event ang nasabing basketball fundraiser para sa benepisyo ng Gawad Kalinga.
Inaabangan na ni Cone ang pakikipagkita at pakikipagtambal sa basketbolista.
“I’m so honored to work with one of the true legends of the NBA. Just his mere presence will excite everyone.”
“Allen impacted a whole generation with his style and flair. Young people copied the way he played and copied the clothes he wore. He was also one of the great scorers in NBA history despite his height and frame, and he often carried teams on his back to the playoffs. He was a true winner on and off the court,” hirit ng Mixers coach.
Atat na rin si Iverson na ibahagi ang kaalaman niya sa laro para mga Pinoy na kilalang napakahilig sa basketbol.
“My Philippine agent, Sheryl Reyes, told me about coach Tim and how he wrote history by winning championships in the PBA. I know how passionate and knowledgeable he is about the game, and us working together to teach Filipinos about the sport excites me a lot,” sabi lamang ni Iverson sa phone interview.
Makikibahagi rin sa proyektong ito sina Harvey Carey ng Talk N’ Text, twotime PBA MVP Willie Miller, Solomon Mercado at Christopher Ross ng San Miguel Beer, Ryan Arana ng Rain Or Shine at Jayjay Helterbrand ng Bgy. Ginebra San Miguel
“November 4th, there’s gonna be a lot of fun on the court,” sabi pa ni Iverson.
