Former and active PBA players are looking forward to a thrilling duel with ex-NBA stars on September 11 at the Araneta Coliseum.

“This is a big opportunity for me to play against the NBA legends. This is a once in a lifetime,” said Kenneth Duremdes, the 1998 PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) who is currently the head coach of Coca-Cola, in Tuesday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s Restaurant along UN Ave., Manila.

The PBA selection will also include 4-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio, rookie-MVP Benjie Paras, 1-time MVP Allan Caidic and Ronnie Magsanoc.

They will be reinforced by active players like former MVP winners Paul Asi Taulava of Coke and Willie Miller of Alaska, Enrico Villanueva of Ginebra, San Miguel Beer’s Arwind Santos and Dondon Hontiveros, Joseph Yeo of Sta. Lucia Realty, and Burger King’s Wynne Arboleda.

Confronting them are NBA “oldtimers” Dominique Wilkins, Robert Horry, Tim Hardaway, and Vlade Divac and by players from the NBA developmental league or D-League.
The team will be coached by former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kareem.

“We look forward to this event,” PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said. “It cements the strong relationship of the PBA with the NBA.

“This is something that I talked with (NBA Commissioner) David Stern when I was in New York two years ago,” Barrios added.

The PBA team will be coached by the Burger King Whopper and former national team mentor Yeng Guiao.

“Siguro mas may chance kami na manalo kasi medyo matatanda na sila,” said Yeo. “Pero for me, it’s an honor to play against them.”

“Ganun din sa akin, kasi talagang these are the players na pinapanood lang namin sa TV before, that we tried to emulate. Now makaka-laro na namin. Siguro hindi magiging mahirap mapa-autograph sa kanila or magpa-kuha ng pictures,” added Hontiveros.

According to PBA operations chief Rickie Santos, the one-game event will use FIBA ruling with a 10-minute per quarter.