Category: Sports

Fun Taiwan All-Stars Season Finale

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DETOUR FOR A-MEI

Premieres Thursday, May 22 at 9:00 p.m. Encores Saturday, May 24 at noon and Sunday, May 25 at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. 

Believe it or not, many of the things that we take for granted, Taiwanese pop star Zhang Hui-mei, also known as A-Mei, has never had the chance to experience, but Janet is planning to change all of that in the season finale of FUN TAIWAN ALL-STARS! From simple to surprising, Janet takes A-Mei on a trip to see the outdoorsy, cultural, delicious, and creative Taiwan that she’s been missing out on.

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Janet and A-mei are in for the ride of their lives, from Harley bike rides on mountain vistas to off-roading in jeeps, zipping around a go-cart track and driving on a pro racing circuit! Janet shows Taiwan’s diva all of her favorite places – they’ll eat seafood at Fu-ji harbor, climb Jade mountain and take in the scenery of Kaohsiung on an evening cruise. A-mei returns the favor by taking Janet to Tai-dong, her hometown, where she shows Janet her favorite haunts, eats, and escapes of her childhood.

Adidas Signs Top 2014 NBA Draft Prospect Danté Exum

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Adidas announced a partnership with Australian NBA Draft prospect Danté Exum. The 18-year-old, 6-foot-6-inch combo guard is projected to be one of the top picks in the 2014 NBA Draft. Exum brings a unique skill set and background to one of the most highly touted draft classes in recent years.

“I’m really excited to join the adidas family,” said Exum. “I’ve had the opportunity to play in adidas Nations in the past and I’ve always liked their shoes and gear. I look forward to what’s to come for me and adidas.”

A graduate of the prestigious Australian Institute of Sport, Exum’s career includes a gold medal finish at the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship and silver medal finish in the 2012 FIBA Under-17 World Championships. Exum also participated in the adidas Nations program in 2011 and 2012, leading Australia to a fourth place finish in 2012. Exum grew up with strong basketball roots, his father Cecil Exum was a member of the 1982 University of North Carolina NCAA National Championship team before playing professional basketball in Australia.

“Danté is a gifted player,” said Chris Grancio, adidas head of global basketball sports marketing. “His hard work ethic and play have made him successful at every level of competition, but what makes him special is his great attitude and unselfish team approach to the game.”

Exum joins a group of elite adidas basketball point-guards highlighted by Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, John Wall of the Washington Wizards and Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. He will be featured in a variety of upcoming adidas initiatives and will play a role in the development of basketball footwear and apparel.

Other adidas athletes include Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets, WNBA MVP Candace Parker and four-time FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi FC Barcelona.

Adidas Extends Partnership with NBA All-Star Damian Lillard

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Adidas announced a long-term partnership extension with NBA All-Star point guard Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. The young star will continue to be an integral part of adidas Basketball’s marketing campaigns, product launches and global initiatives moving forward.

“adidas has been great to me over my first two seasons,” said Lillard. “I’ve had the opportunity to wear a lot of great product, help design special versions of shoes, be a part of TV commercials and travel the world with the brand. I’m excited for what the future holds for me and adidas.”

Lillard’s dedication to basketball brought immediate success in his young NBA career, including being named the unanimous Kia NBA Rookie of the Year. This season, Lillard took another step forward, earning a spot on the Western Conference NBA All-Star team where he also became the first player to complete in all five events at All-Star weekend. Lillard’s improvement has led to team success, as the Trail Blazers have clinched a playoff spot in the tough Western Conference for the first time in three seasons.

“Damian has proven to be not only an amazing basketball player, but a great partner, member of the community and someone who creates excitement for our products,” said Chris Grancio, adidas head of global basketball sports marketing. “His leadership and commitment to success on the court and his ability to interact and relate to fans through social media and the community make him the perfect fit to be one of the cornerstones of the adidas brand.”

After being overlooked by large collegiate programs coming out of high school in Oakland, Calif., Lillard attended Weber State University where he excelled for three seasons. Lillard quickly raised his draft status in 2012 where he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the sixth overall pick. Lillard is currently averaging 21 points, six assists and four rebounds per game for the Trail Blazers.

Other adidas athletes include Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, WNBA MVP Candace Parker and four-time FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi FC Barcelona.

PBA All-Stars to use Euro-style basketball vs Gilas

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Members of the Gilas Pilipinas and PBA All-Stars together with the PBA governors pose for a picture during the 2014 PBA All-Star press con at the SM MOA Arena.

The PBA All Stars will give Gilas Pilipinas a taste of European-style basketball when they tangle at the 2014 PBA All Star Game on April 6.

Tim Cone, who will call the shots for the PBA selection, said they plan to run some plays against Gilas that are typically used in Europe. This way, they can help the national team familiarize with the type of games played in the FIBA Worlds.

“One of the things we want to do is run some offense that will be used against Gilas at the World Cup,” Cone told Richard Dy in a report on Spin.ph.

The American coach said they will pose a formidable challenge against the Gilas squad in order to toughen up the national team.

The PBA All Star team will be made up of starters Greg Slaughter, Chris Ellis and Mac Baracael of Ginebra, and San Mig Coffee players James Yap and Mark Barroca.

San Miguel Beer’s Arwind Santos and Marcio Lassiter, of San Mig Coffee’s PJ Simon and Joe Devance, Alaska’s Calvin Abueva and Sonny Thoss, and Talk ‘N Text’s KG Canaleta complete the All Star cast.

“We’re gonna try to compete and challenge them and make them (Gilas) better. We’ll defend and make it tough for them and hopefully, it will help them get better,” Cone said.

They will battle the Gilas Pilipinas training pool composed of the “mighty 12” Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, LA Tenorio, Gary David, Larry Fonacier, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Marc Pingris, Ranidel de Ocampo, Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo and Marcus Douthit.

Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga and Paul Lee and Jared Dillinger of the Meralco Bolts will also be part of the Gilas team.
The 2014 PBA All-Star festivities began on Thursday and will culminate with the All-Star clash on Sunday.

PBA All-Stars to play at SM Mall of Asia Arena

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Some of the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) greatest will play at the Mall of Asia Arena at the annual PBA-All Star Weekend on April 3 – 6, 2014. The weekend will kick-off with challenges where current champions Jonas Villanueva (Air 21), Mark Cardona (Air 21) and Chris Ellis (Barangay Ginebra) will be defending their titles.

Highlights of the weekend are Skills Challenge and PBA Greats vs Stalwarts. This will start at 6:30PM on April 4, 2014. The weekend will end with the much anticipated PBA All-Stars vs Gilas Pilipinas game on April 6, 2014, 5:00PM. The weekend will also include basketball clinics, hospital visits, medical visits, meet and greet, referee clinics and coaches clinics in selected SM Supermalls.

National Team Coach Chot Reyes will be leading the Gilas Pilipinas team composed of Jayson Castro, Justin Melton, Gabe Norwood, Ranidel de Ocampo, and Junmar Fajardo. The PBA All-Star team will have a starting line-up of Mark Barocca, James Yap, Chris Ellis, Mac Baracael, and Greg Slaughter.

The Mall of Asia Arena, operated by SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc., has a seating capacity of 15,000, with a full-house capacity of 20,000. It has been the venue for world class concerts and sports events in the country. The Mall of Asia Arena, through its commitment to change the game and elevate entertainment for the Filipino audience, guarantees a world-class events and entertainment experience to its audience.

For April 4, 2014, 6:30PM, ticket prices are as follows: VIP (Courtside) – PHP 1,410; Patron A – PHP 1,230.00; Patron B – PHP 1,140; Lower Box A – PHP 1,005.00; Lower Box B – PHP 960.00; Lower Box C – PHP 915.00; Upper Box – PHP 475.00; and General Admission – PHP 340.00.

For April 6, 2014, 5:00PM, ticket prices are as follows: VIP (Courtside) – PHP 1,550; Patron A – PHP 1,350.00; Patron B – PHP 1,250; Lower Box A – PHP 1,100.00; Lower Box B – PHP 1,050.00; Lower Box C – PHP 1,000.00; Upper Box – PHP 525.00; and General Admission – PHP 375.00.

For each day, patrons who purchase VIP to Lower Box tickets also receive a snack along with their ticket.