FORMER NBA MVP Allen Iverson returns to Manila 16 years after his first and only visit to the country as a young and upcoming star of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 38-year-old Iverson, who officially retired late last year after a colorful and controversial 14-year career, will be hitting town sometime this August, according to import agent Sheryl Reyes.
For the moment, Iverson’s longtime manager Gary Moore clarified the cage great won’t be part of a group of traveling ex-NBA players.
“It is my desire not to ever confuse the public. Allen will not be available in July and as his agent, I have partnered with Sheryl Reyes and have complete confidence in her expertise as it relates to the market in the Philippines,” Moore said in an official statement released to local sports media.
Moore added Reyes and Moore Management are currently negotiating to finalize details for the planned visit of the former NBA scoring champion.
“Sheryl shared with me how popular Allen is in the Philippines. So he knows just how popular the sport has become there,” said Moore.
“We look forward to establishing a partnership with Moore Management & Entertainment, LLC and Sports Network Management bringing more basketball talent from the US to the Philippines.”
Iverson made his first Manila visit in August 1998 as part of his Asian tour following stops in Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong to promote basketball.
Aside from Philadelphia, the 6-foot, 165-pound guard also suited up for Denver, Detroit, and Memphis over a 14-year career, putting him 19th in the all-time career scoring list with 24,368 total points.
But he was best remembered for leading the 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals when they stunned the Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the series at the Staples Center. It was the only win of the team in the Finals as the Lakers swept the next four games to win the title.
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