Latest news with #NCAARookieMVP
GMA Network
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
NBA star Ja Morant lights up BGC court in first Manila visit
Be it in Memphis or in Manila, Ja Morant made sure to turn every court into his own playground. The Grizzlies guard did just that in his rare Manila visit as part of his 'Make Then Watch' tour, which is aligned in his effort to connect and interact with local basketball stars. The 25-year-old high-flying guard made a huge entrance before obliging to the fans to hit the 'griddy' dance moves. Morant also watched from the sidelines as Team Barangay and Team La Salle went at it in a four-quarter exhibition game. Team La Salle is composed of alumni Jeron Teng, Ricci Rivero, and Marga Jimenez, while Team Barangay are spearheaded by other Pinoy stars Rhenz Abando, CJ Cansino, Jack Animam, and Andrei Ugaddan. Abando and Ugaddan threw a number of slams with the former NCAA Rookie MVP even getting a high-five from the NBA star. But Morant did not leave without making one of his own, completing an alleyoop dunk off a pass from a member of his camp. Hyped by the crowd, Morant then knocked down another two-handed hammer to close out the friendly game. Before dropping by the Philippines, Morant also made stops in other Asian countries China and Japan. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
29-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Rhenz Abando back in KBL, reunites with Anyang Red Boosters
Rhenz Abando is reuniting with his old team Anyang Red Boosters as he is set to make a Korean Basketball League (KBL) return after more than a year. The Red Boosters announced Abando's comeback on Tuesday as the Filipino import looks to replicate his previous success with the team he once helped win a championship. ? Abando steered Anyang to the 2022-2023 title after they outlasted and dethroned Seoul SK in Game 7 of the finals. Before that, the former NCAA Rookie MVP also led the squad to a title in the East Asia Super League (EASL) Champions Week in March 2023. He, however, parted ways with the Korean club in May 2024 to end a two-year stint. Abando will rejoin Anyang just days after helping the Strong Group-Philippines defend its crown at the recently-concluded William Jones Cup in Taiwan. The high-flying baller was also initially part of Gilas Pilipinas' pool for the upcoming 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, but national team head coach Tim Cone revealed that Abando never got the chance to attend their practices. —Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
