BUKAS si NBA star Dwight Howard na sumabak sa Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Ang dating three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year ay maglalaro para sa Strong Group sa 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championships simula sa susunod na linggo.
Gayunman, umaasa siya na ikokonsidera ng PBA ang pagluwag sa height limit nito.
Ayon kay Howard, 38, may taas lamang siya na 6-foot-9, na kasalukuyang maximum height ma itinakda para sa isang import na sasabak sa liga, subalit dati ay iniulat siya na 6-foot-10.
“I’m eligible for PBA. I think they gotta change the height requirement. I’m 6’9” without shoes and with shoes it has a little inch. So hopefully, they do that,” wika ni Howard sa sidelines ng ensayo ng Strong Group sa Makati nitong Miyerkoles.
“Guys like Dray (Blatche) can come back and play here as well. I know he wanted to play here in the PBA so you know, if they change the height requirements, maybe we’ll see twin towers in the Philippines.”
Nagpapasalamat si Howard at sa wakas ay nagkaroon siya ng pagkakataon na katawanin ang bansa.
“It’s amazing. This is my third time here, and it’s always fun to come to the Philippines,” pahayag ng dating Orlando Magic superstar.
“I have some Filipino friends in the states, so being able to come here and represent the Philippines is a great honor, I take pride in it.”
“I’ve been dreaming about coming back here for a couple years and you know, just fun to see the fans, see the smiles and feel the love and the passion from all the people here. It’s a beautiful sight to see and I’m just glad to be here,” dagdag pa niya.
Pangungunahan ni Howard ang koponan na tatampukan ng pinaghalong veterans at rising stars na hangad na makabawi mula sa quarterfinal exit sa huling edisyon kung saan natalo sila sa Al Riyadi ng Lebanon.
Bukod kay Howard, ang koponan ay palalakasin din nina naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche, McKenzie Moore, at Andre Roberson, habang ang locals ay pangungunahan nina MPBL MVP Justine Baltazar, UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, at dating Gilas member Jordan Heading.
Kabilang din sa 12-man team sina Francis Escandor, Justine Sanchez, Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot, at JD Cagulangan.
