Three superstars from the National Basketball (–foul word(s) removed–)ociation, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose have been reportedly paid for more than $400,000 each for two exhibition games held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines. The amount that have been given to the NBA superstars was first reported by Sports Illustrated writer Sam Amick.
Due to the lock out that was happening in the NBA some of the famous NBA stars were looking for opportunities abroad and their tune-up games in Manila have been proven to be a profitable one. NBA stars Kobe Bryant have been to the Philippines and other parts of Asia for his NIKE endorsement tour and the invitation from the Philippines to play a two-game tune-up against the best of Philippine basketball was an added bonus to his career.
The Filipinos warmly welcome the visiting NBA stars although some players were still unclear how of much money they have received from the organizers of the event. One thing for sure Smart Communications have invested millions of pesos for the success of the event.
The $400,000 each, talent fee given to Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose was equivalent to more than P17 Million pesos for the two-games exhibition, first against the PBA All Star Selection and the second one against the Philippine National Basketball Team Smart Gilas Pilipinas. The game was just a tune-up for Smart Gilas but the NBA Stars have taken the game seriously during the last quarter as they feel the pressure from the National Team.
The Smart Ultimate All Star Weekend was brought about by the major sponsor of the Philippine National Basketball Team, the Smart Communications. Chairman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Manny Pangilinan was the main man behind the invitation of NBA Players to play in the Philippines.
Manny V. Pangilinan was also the President of Smart Communications, Cignal Digital TV, and ABC/TV 5. He owns two teams in the PBA the Meralco Bolts and the Talk ‘n Text Tropang Texters. He was instrumental in forming the MVP Foundation. The Philippine National Team Smart Gilas Pilipinas was just one of his contribution to the Philippine Sports. He is also planning to invest for the Sacramento Kings.
