MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas skipper Chris Tiu knows it will be tough to beat a stellar cast of NBA stars even if it’s just an exhibition match. And it becomes tougher when you’ll play against those you idolize.
Tiu and the Nationals get a rare chance to take on a dream NBA roster headed by five-time champion Kobe Bryant, reigning MVP Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and former Rookie of the Year Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets in the second of a blockbuster two-game series set July 23 and 24 at the Araneta Coliseum.

“It’s hard to beat a team composed of the best basketball players in the world because they’re not only taller and bigger, they’re also more athletic, skilled and experienced,” said Tiu.

“Its more difficult playing the players I look up to,” added Tiu, a self-confessed fan of Bryant and Rose.
The two-day basketball extravaganza dubbed “The Ultimate All-Star Weekend” will pit Kobe and the gang against a PBA selection team coached by Chot Reyes at 7 p.m. on July 23 and a Rajko Toroman-mentored Smart Gilas squad at 1 p.m. a day later.

Meanwhile, the MVP Sports Foundation, which is organizing the highly anticipated two-day event, announced that DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers begged off in the last minute due to passport problems leaving one vacant spot in the eight-man NBA roster.

The star-studded NBA cast comprises of Rose, Bryant, who will coach the squad, Paul, Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers, Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, James Harden of the Oklahoma Thunder and Derrick Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves.


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There were reports that the eighth and last spot would be filled reportedly by Jordan Farmar of the New Jersey Nets.Tiu said the game is actually a treat to Filipino fans from no less than Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny Pangilinan, who turned a leaf last July 14, himself.

“This game is really for every one, the Filipino fans. What the MVP Foundation has done is just unbelievable as they just brought basketball to another level,’’ said Tiu.“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us players and the fans.’’

Smart Gilas is using this tune-up match as part of its preparation for the FIBA-Asia Championship slated Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China where a lone berth would be staked in the 2012 London Olympics.

James Yap and Marc Pingris of BMeg, Mark Caguioa and JC Intal of Ginebra, Arwin Santos and Rabeh Al-Hussaini of Petron Blaze, Ryan Reyes, Jason Castro and Larry Fonacier of Talk N’ Text, Sonny Thoss and LA Tenorio of Alaska, Sol Mercado of Meralco, Gary David of Powerade, Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine and Danny Seigle of Air21 will comprise the PBA team.

Talk N’ Text’s Kelly Williams, Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo, Meralco’s Asi Taulava and Air21’s Dondon Hontiveros will suit up with the Nationals, who are on the thick of preparations for the FIBA-Asia Championship in Wuhan, China.

Smart Gilas’ other members are naturalized Marcus Douthit, Tiu, co-skipper Mark Barroca, JV Casio, Mac Baracael, Marcio Lassiter, Japeth Aguilar, Chris Lutz, Dylan Ababou and Jason Ballesteros.