The Ultimate Allstar experience

Source : Charles Tiu Philippine Star

Kobe vs. Tiu

(Note: Charles Tiu, brother of Smart Gilas skipper Chris Tiu, shares his thoughts on Smart Gilas playing Kobe Bryant and company in the Ultimate All-Star weekend)

MANILA, Philippines - “Marcus get McGee, Japeth take Kobe, Chris Lutz guard Durant because he plays more outside and Kobe plays inside, Chris Tiu get Rose, Mark get Paul” – those were the final instructions of coach Rajko Toroman at the dugout before the big game.

Smart Gilas felt victory despite loss

Source : Joey Villar Philippine Star

Smart Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - After a learning experience at the hands of a stellar NBA cast it played in the Smart Ultimate All-Star Weekend at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Smart Gilas Pilipinas has shifted its focus to the William Jones Cup slated Aug. 6-14 in Chinese Taipei.

Smart Gilas gives a good fight to NBA Allstars

Kobe Bryant

Source : Mikkel Bolante, InterAKTV
Compared to the PBA selection, the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team was expected to be more competitive against Kobe Bryant and his band of basketball superstars. That proved to be true, although the Philippine team still fell short against the SMART All-Stars, 98-89.

[Video]NBA vs. PBA: 2nd Half Highlights

Manila - This is some highlights of the PBA-NBA game. Kobe's team won 131-105 in game filled with highlights. PBA players turned into fans on the court as the best players in the world did their stuff.



The Scores:

SMART (NBA) ALL STARS 131 - McGee 25, Durant 22, Williams 19, Evans 17, Harden 16, Bryant 12, Paul 11, Rose 9, Fisher 0.

PBA ALL-STARS 105 - Santos 25, Cabagnot 9, Pingris 9, Al-Hussaini 8, Mercado 8, David 8, Norwood 7, Reyes 6, Thoss 4, Castro 4, Caguioa 4, Seigle 4, Intal 4, Fonacier 3, Tenorio 2, Yap 0.

Quarters: 30-26, 66-50, 107-78, 131-105

Smart Gilas will take the game seriously

Source : Nelson Beltran PhilStar

Smart Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas Pilipinas will have the 2011 Fiba Asia championship in mind in taking on the Kobe Bryant-led NBA selection Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

PBA Players excited for tonight's match up

Source : Nelson Beltran, Phil Star

James Yap

MANILA, Philippines - For the PBA as an organization, being a part of the Ultimate All-Star Weekend is an honor and a privilege.For the PBA players, it’s an experience of a lifetime.

NBA Players in the Philippines

[L-R]Chris Paul, Derek Fisher, guy in grey,
Javale McGee and Tyreke Evans

Manila - NBA Players arrived this morning. Here are some pictures

NBA Players officially arrive

Javale McGee's eye view of their arrival

Manila - Reality has set it. NBA starts have arrived in Manila. [a correction to my claim yesterday that they arrive thursday.]

NBA Stars set to arrive today!

Source : Joey Villar Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - Majority of the star-studded NBA team playing a PBA selection and Smart Gilas Pilipinas this weekend in a blockbuster two-game series dubbed the Smart Ultimate All-Star Weekend at the Araneta Coliseum are expected to hit town on separate flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco today.

Derrick Rose completes NBA select team against PBA, Gilas

Source : Joey Villar. Philippine Star

Derrick Rose

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning MVP and former Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls is the eighth and last member of the stellar NBA cast playing Smart Gilas Pilipinas and a PBA selection in a dream two-game series on July 23 and 24 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Derek Fisher joins NBA Select Team against PBA, Gilas

Source : JONAS TERRADO Manila Bulletin

Derek Fisher

MANILA, Philippines — Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher has been added to the list of NBA superstars that visit Manila for a two-game exhibition slated this weekend at the Araneta Coliseum.

Kobe, Chris Paul heads NBA Line up against PBA and Smart Gilas

Kobe Bryant

Source : Renee A. Fopalan GMA News
Early this week, Los Angeles superstar Kobe Bryant described the Philippines as his "home away from home." It didn't take long before he decided to come back.