Working with a worldwide partner of the NBA, we oft hold meet & greets with the players. But I wanted to do something different this time around. My old Solar Sports boss Jude Turcuato used to tell me how he'd play pick up games before the NBA All-Star Game with some NBA players, media types, and staff (at the site of the NBA's mid-season classic). So I figured why not let my media colleagues play with our Brand Athletes, AC Green, and the Jr. NBA kids? And that's what happened. In the photo above, I go over the program with GroupM's Ton Gatmaitan, NBA Asia's Carlo Singson, and BTV host Erika Flores. We had a 30-minute segment within the day's Jr. NBA event.
Was this photo op a sign? I had the media draw lots in order to "draft" the players they wanted to partner with for the competition. They would be joined by a Jr. NBA player of their choice as well. Before the program, Manila Bulletin's Jonas Terrado selected National University's Joseph Terso. And they raised their arms in "triumph" foreshadowing their win.
I invited members of the PBA and NCAA/UAAP Press Corps to participate and these were the guys who showed up: Inquirer's Cedelf Tupas, Abante's Mark Escarlote, Manila Times' Josef Ramos, Manila Bulletin's Waylon Galvez, inthezone.com.ph's Jae Bolando, thepoc.net's Diego dela Paz, and Manila Bulletin's Jonas Terrado.
Check out Dwight Howard's shoe and palm sizes. Man, he is huge!!!
I hosted our segment along with Ton Gatmaitan. Roy Afable (who was present) was asking me about the Letran jersey I wore (it was my first time to wear in public a non-Ateneo jersey). I did wear Nico Elorde's La Salle jersey in our pick up game at the Palms Country Club a few months ago. But the Letran jersey is Rey Guevarra's. He's one of my closest friends in the Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team. My free throw shooting contest with AC Green was aborted because of the length of our program. Darn. I would have beaten AC.
Some of our Gatorade Brand Athletes: Letran's Kevin Alas, Ateneo's Kirk Long, San Beda/Maynilad's Borgie Hermida, National University's Joseph Terso, and Arellano University's Isiah Ciriacruz. Interesting tidbit here. Terso's real nickname is "Jolas". Turns out that his parents were fans of the former Alaska Ace and they nicknamed their son after their idol. Thanks for joining us, bro. Nanalo pa ng 5K! The competition went like this: teams of three (Gatorade Brand Athlete + media + Jr. NBA player). AC Green participated. Each is designated a shot from close range, medium range, the three-point arc, and halfcourt. The team that makes all their shots in the quickest possible time wins. Jonas and Jolas won it.
The boys with Los Angeles Lakers legend AC Green. Our next "competition" is this coming June. Watch out for it.
With "the Riches" -- Richard Herrera and Richard Hardin of the Amazing Race Asia --- and Erika Flores after our program. Hydrate, baby. Hydrate.
With "the Riches" -- Richard Herrera and Richard Hardin of the Amazing Race Asia --- and Erika Flores after our program. Hydrate, baby. Hydrate.
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