NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar expects an interesting game when a group of retired NBA stars and some upcoming US professional players tangle with a Philippine selection on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

This is because Kareem, who has visited the country four times but was last here in 1995, believes the game and the Filipino players as well have improved over those years when he last came over for a goodwill visit.

“I expect that that level of play here has improved, the competitiveness,” the 62-year-old Abdul-Jabbar said in yesterday’s press conference that kicked off the NBA Asian Challenge Philippine leg.

Abdul-Jabbar arrived last Monday together with four other ex-NBA players – Robert Horry, Tim Hardaway, Vlade Divac, and Dominique Wilkins – to play an exhibition game against former and current players from the PBA.

The PBA All-Stars headed by former Philippine Team coach Yeng Guiao, is composed of four-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras and Kenneth Duremdes. They will be reinforced by active players Wynne Arboleda, Dondon Hontiveros, Marc Pingris, Jay-R Reyes, Arwind Santos, Asi Taulava, Joachim Thoss, Rico Villanueva, and Joseph Yeo.

“These guys changed the game. Me, I grew up watching Kareem and the “Showtime LA Lakers,” Guiao said. “I know these guys are still in shape, they may be out in the NBA but they can still play.”

Abdul-Jabbar, who retired from the NBA at age 42 after winning six championships and, six season MVP awards, two Finals MVP and 19 appearances in the All-Star Game, will not be playing as he will be a “celebrity assistant coach.”

Calling the shots for the NBA Generations is Rory White of the Dakota Wizards, a team in the National Basketball Developmental League or D-League.

“These guys just want to have fun,” White said, adding that he expects the game to be full of action and highlights.

Joining Wilkins, 49, Divac, 41, Hardaway, 43, and Horry, 39 – all first-timers in the country – in the NBA Generations lineup are D-League players including Derrick Dial, Chris Ellis, Marcus Hubbard, Russel Robinson, Lanny Smith, and Billy Thomas.

Wilkins earned the nickname “The Human Highlight Film” for his acrobatic dunks during his 16 NBA seasons, and he’s best remembered for his memorable slam-off against Michael Jordan during the 1988 NBA All-Star Weekend.

As for Horry, also known as “Big Shot Bob” for the clutch baskets he made in the playoffs and won seven championships – two each with the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, and three with LA – he said that he loved the reception he got when he arrived here.

“The thing about basketball is people love it and fans appreciate. I’m glad to have this kind of reception, one of the best I’ve had,” said Horry, who added that he won’t hesitate taking the big shots if open against the Filipino players.