Witness history: LeBron James in Manila

LeBron James get the ball at the wing. He jabs, gets his defender off his feet then begins his attack. He slices the teeth of the defense and as he skies over for the dunk, a defender jumps with him. James not only gets two points but also takes his defenders’ pride with him. Now imagine that scene happening here in our very own Mall of Asia Arena, in front of a full house with chants of “M-V-P” raining down on him. Sounds like we’re in South Beach doesn’t it?

Fresh off a second NBA championship that further solidified his credentials as one of the game’s best, LeBron took his talents to Manila for just one day as part of his “WIITNESS HISTORY” tour. With the likes of Kobe Bryant having gone to our shores, the notion of the King coming to Manila was bound to happen.

Starting off with a press conference to entertain the media, James first went to Nike Park in Bonifacio High Street where he looked at fan designs of his latest shoe the “LeBron X” and spending time with the fans who waited it out just to get a glimpse of their baksetball hero. After having a meal at the nearby PF Changs, he proceeded to the Mall of Asia Arena where the RP U-16 Youth Team, select UAAP stars, some members of the Gilas Pilipinas team, and the thousands who waited it out or bought a ticket for the event were raring to go.

Before the King arrived, teams composed of Gilas players, UAAP stars, RP U-16 members, and select fans went against each other in a series of competitions similar to that of the NBA’s All Star Weekend. From the Shooting Stars competition to the Three Point Shoutout, the fans were treated into a showcase that gave witness to the present and future of Philippine basketball.

When the lights were dimmed, everyone knew that the King was ready for his entrance. Emerging from the bright lights and jet stream smoke, James was there in the flesh, all six pack and tattoos to show. After a brief introduction, he joined the teams in their drills to the delight of the fans. His layups and dunks reminded the fans of his highlights and moves that put the rest of the NBA on their knees, even re-doing his warm up dunk that has more hits on YouTube than your HUMABEH project.

When the scrimmage between Gilas Pilipinas and the UAAP stars, LeBron was tasked to coach the stars against a Gilas team gearing up for the FIBA-Asia Championship this coming August. Minus naturalized player Marcus Douthit and fellow big man June Mar Fajardo, Gilas still managed to jump to a 9-2 lead against a UAAP stars squad that was needing in a big man. Cutting the Gilas team’s lead to one at 9-8, James called a timeout and placed four men on the floor, then adding himself in to the delight of the crowd. With the crowd fired up, James calmly drilled two threes to seize the lead at 14-11 until Jeff Chan answered with a three of his own. One highlight was when LeBron was isolated in the baseline with Ranidel De Ocampo on him. After a couple of fakes and jabs, he got De Ocampo off step and James seized the opportunity to blow by and throw down a reverse jam, a move that he was well familiar with and one that brought the crowd to his feet. Both teams went at it, exchanging baskets until Japeth Aguilar put Gilas up for good at 29-27. James missed the go ahead three pointer and Gilas survived the King for one day. If this were a USA vs Philippines game, the outcome would’ve been different.

As the sun set and the event came to a close, LeBron may be heading out but he himself hoped that this wouldn’t be the last time he steps foot on Philippine soil. Besides, Filipinos love basketball so much that in them, James found people who love the game as he does.