Derek Fisher joining Kobe in Manila - MVP

Fisher and Bryant

Los Angeles Laker Derek Fisher is confirmed to join superstars Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul in Manila on July 23 and 24, for two exhibition games with Filipino players at the Araneta Coliseum. Fisher's participation was confirmed by PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, no less, at the MVP Birthday Run Saturday morning.

The MVP Sports Foundation, Smart Communications, and the MVP group of companies, which includes PLDT, Smart, Meralco, and TV5, are bringing a select roster of NBA athletes to play with local stars from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Smart-GILAS national team that Pangilinan's companies and foundations have also taken under their wings.

Sources said organizers of the exhibition games on July 23 and 24 have also signed another NBA star to join Bryant, Paul, and Fisher, but this player's name will be revealed on Monday yet.

Apart from this mystery star to be announced on Monday, PBA coach Chot Reyes on Friday announced that other notable names are confirmed for the games, in particular: former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, No. 2 overall pick of the 2011 draft Derrick Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves, center DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers and James Harden, the sixth man of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Source: InterAKTV