Pacers and Rockets to play preseason game in Manila - NBA commissioner David Stern

(Updated 4:17pm) NBA Commissioner David Stern confirmed Tuesday via video message that the Indiana Pacers and the Houston Rockets will play a preseason game on October 10 at the SM MOA Arena.

NBA Asia VP Scott Levy saying the NBA is happy to bring Two storied franchises who are having great seasons to the Ph. #NBAPhGetsBig

— NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines) March 5, 2013

The announcement was made during a press conference, a littler under a month after the venue teased an NBA game on Philippine shores via the slogan "Big things are coming."

According to @lishuangfu Lakers & Warriors will play games in China next fall, Pacers & Rockets will play in Taipei & Philippines

— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) February 8, 2013

Rumors of a game between the two sides stretch back to February 8, when ESPN's Brian Windhorst tweeted out that the "Pacers & Rockets will play in Taipei & Philippines" quoting Li Shuangfu, who covers the LA Clippers and Lakers for Sina in China.

[Related: NBA game in the works for Manila - reports]

"Our game in Manila is an exciting opportunity to connect with the passionate basketball fans in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia," said Stern in a recorded message aired during the press conference. "The Philippines is an ideal setting for the Houston Rockets and the Indiana Pacers to take part in a showcase of our game and give the fans in the region an atuthentic NBA experience."

Both teams are currently in the mix for playoff berths with the Houston Rockets seventh in the West with a 33-28 record, while the Pacers are second out East, thanks to a 38-22 card.

The Pacers feature All-Star swingman Paul George, along with center Roy Hibbert and gunner Danny Granger, while the Rockets boast of the one-two punch of Taiwanese-American point guard Jeremy Lin and All-Star shooting guard James Harden.

The NBA will feature eight global games for the 2013-2014 preseason featuring eight teams. The Oklahoma City Thunder will be facing Fenerbahce Ulker Turkey in Istanbul on October 5 and will then battle another local team in Uxue Bilbao Basket in Bilbao the next day.

The Kevin Durant-led team will then lock horns with the Philadelphia 76ers in Manchester on October 8.

After the Rockets and Pacers' trip to the Philippines, the two teams will head to Taiwan for a game on October 13. 

The NBA will also visit Brazil with a game between the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards on October 12. Finally, the Los Angeles Lakers will face the Golden State Warriors in two games in Beijing and Shanghai in China.

October 10th will mark the second time that the NBA officially sent an NBA team to the Philippines. Back in 1979, the 1977-1978 NBA champion Washington Bullets faced the PBA selection in an exhibition game.

On September 4, 1979, the PBA All-Stars featuring the likes of Ramon Fernandez and Atoy Co lost to the Bullets 133-123. The Bullters were led by NBA Finals MVP Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, Bob Dandridge, Kevin Grevey, and current Laker general manager Mitch Kupchak. - AMD/CLP, GMA News