Yao Ming to Play in the Philippines

[MikeLigalig.com]

by PNA

Filipino basketball enthusiasts are fortunate to be able to witness Chinese basketball star players like Yao Ming play in Philippine soil.

Filipino basketball star legend Alvin Patrimonio said Ming is planning to join his ballclub, Shanghai Sharks, for a couple of goodwill matches against the selection of PBA stars coached by Tim Cone and the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team on June 28 at the newly-built SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Patrimonio, who graced the opening of a meat shop here over the weekend, said that he had played against Chinese basketball players many times in the past and found them to be highly professional.

"Chinese basketball players are professionals. They are good," said Patrimonio.

Yao, who was born in Shanghai, started playing for the Shanghai Sharks as a teenager before playing as the dominant center for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He eventually bought the Shanghai Sharks team in 2009.

"Filipinos should consider this a big opportunity to see Yao Ming in action. I support the team of Coach Tim Cone in this endeavor," said Patrimonio.

Earlier, Malacanang welcomed the Chinese team's visit and described the games as a sign of goodwill amid recent tensions in the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

[insurectus]

I believe Yao already played sa Pinas before but wala pa to siya na draft sa NBA, I remember sila to ni Marlou Aquino ang players sa Pinas ato