NBA: James Harden, Eric Gordon, land in Manila for NBA 3X Philippines

NBA stars James Harden and Eric Gordon arrived in the Philippines to kick off the NBA 3X Philippines 2013 tournament presented by Sprite, running from July 26 to 28.

Harden and Gordon, from the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans, respectively, were joined by the Indiana Pacemates and Grizz, the Memphis Grizzlies' official team mascot.

NBA 3X Philippines, now on its third straight year, is a three-on-three tournament with male and female divisions with a combined seven different age categories to be played at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall and the Philippines International Convention Center (PICC).


-- Photos by Roehl Niño Bautista, GMA News

Both stars welcomed the internationalization of the sport. "I just think it's good overall for basketball and the NBA. You see a lot of guys coming to the NBA and bringing a different style," said Gordon.

This is Harden's second visit to the Philippines since playing an exhibition game in Manila during the 2011 NBA lockout, and he liked the growth of emerging basketball markets like the Philippines.

"The fan base is amazing in the Philippines, the crowd was unbelievable," he said, based on his experience. "So obviously the fan base is growing all over the world."

Harden and Gordon came amid preseason preparations for the upcoming NBA season. Gordon is rehabbing an ankle injury and will join newly acquired guards Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday when the Pelicans begin their season.

"It's gonna be very exciting to play with guys who can do things similar to what I can do. I hope it opens up things for us and makes us a better team this year," said Gordon. "When you get a chance to play with good guys like them it changes things. Hopefully we can make the Playoffs."

Gordon is also warming up to the idea of playing for the newly-christened Pelicans, replacing their old Hornets monicker. "I wasn't too sold on it either but they say it's the state bird so you gotta ride with it," he said.

Meanwhile, Harden is entering his second year with the Houston Rockets and is looking forward to playing with former defensive player of the year and ex-Laker, Dwight Howard.

Harden managed to say a few words about his new teammate despite the fact that the organizers asked the media to refrain from questions about Howard. "I have the best big man in the NBA. Last year he had some injuries but this year he's hungry and he's focused on the ring, and I am too," said Harden. "Once we get things going in training camp, it should be alright."

He also reckons that his team will have a slight advantage over the Indiana Pacers when they meet in Manila for the NBA Global Games on October 10. "Definitely us," said Harden, tongue in cheek. "You guys know the Rockets a lot more than the Pacers."

The 3X tournament

"Due to the overwhelming response to the event we've increased the number of teams this year," said NBA country manager Carlo Singson. He added that over 200 teams registered for the 3X tournament. According to Singson, the NBA is holding 3X events in over 14 countries and territories this year.

There's more at stake for 3X winners than just bragging rights. Division winners automatically qualify for a special raffle, where the winner receives four tickets to watch the NBA Global Games Philippines.

The winners of the boys under-18 division will also automatically receive footwear and apparel from adidas, plus a berth in the three-on-three grand finals in the D Rose Tour on September 15-16.

NBA 3X Philippines offers other attractions to basketball fans, including a slam dunk contest, a basketball clinic, three-point shootout, skills challenge, autograph sessions and various live performances.

The tournament will also feature a celebrity division featuring TV personalities and sportscasters, including Rovilson Fernandez, Rio de la Cruz, Marco Benitez, Dominic Uy, Jason Webb, Richard del Rosario, Mico Halili, TJ Manotoc, Marco Benitez and GMA News' own Mark Zambrano.

NBA Cares

The NBA's partnership with Coca Cola features an NBA Cares event on Sunday.  Adel Tamano, vice president of public affairs and communications of Coca Cola Philippines, said that 20 kids with special needs will play with the NBA stars. - AMD, GMA News