Nakatakdang dumating sa Pilipinas ang ex-National Basketball Association superstar na si Dwight Howard matapos siyang tapikin bilang player ng Strong Group Athletics para sa dalawang linggong torneo sa Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“Meet me at the airport on Saturday, January 6, for the chance to get your picture with me and autograph,” hirit ni Howard sa kanyang Instagram post kung saan makikita ang video niya na tila may kausap sa telepono at may caption na “POV (point of view) ordering Jollibees for the 30th time in the Philippines.”
“Let me know in the comments what things I should do or what places I should visit when I arrive! Let’s go Philippines, I’m on the way,” dagdag niya.
Ayon sa ulat, ang naturalized Filipino Gilas player na si Andrew Blatche ang pumadrino kay SGA head coah Charles Tiu at Howard na mag-usap para sa naturang offer na maglaro sa Dubai International Basketball Tournament natatakbo mula Enero 19 hanggang 28.
Bukod kay Blatche, makakasama ni Howard sa SGA ang dati ring taga-NBA na sina McKenzie Moore at Andre Roberson.
“Excited to be working with these guys. Andray Blatche and McKenzie Moore were both part of my previous championship team. While Dwight is obviously an NBA Hall of Famer and would be one of the best players ever to play for a team in the Philippines,” sabi ni Tiu sa isang pahayag.
“Andre Roberson on the other hand is a proven NBA vet who will be a good guy for our team. I’ve had good conversations with the players and am excited for them to come,” dagdag niya.
Kasama rin sa roster ng SGA sina Kevin Quiambao at Francis Escandor ng Green Archers, at JD Cagulangan ng UP Fighting Maroons.
Naglaro si Howard sa NBA sa loob ng 18 taon at hinirang na eight-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA First Team, at three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Naglaro siya kasama ang Taoyuan Leopards sa T1 League ng Taiwan para sa season 2022-2023 kung saan kinilala siya bilang MVP ng kauna-unahang All-Star Game ng naturang liga noong Pebrero 2023.
