Tim Hardaway and Brian Scalabrine headline NBA 3X Philippines

Coming next week

One of the most anticipated NBA events this year is the NBA 3X Philippines, and for the 2018 edition, the NBA is bringing over a couple of well known veterans.

NBA Legend Tim Hardaway and noted basketball host and analyst Brian Scalabrine will be making their way to the country for the NBA 3X Philippines finals proper on August 25 and 26 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

Hardaway says, "It’s a great feeling to return to the Philippines and get reacquainted with the passionate Filipino fan base. NBA 3X celebrates the vibrant culture of basketball, which will be in full display for fans to experience throughout the weekend festivities."

Scalabrine adds, "Traveling to the Philippines for the first time is an exciting opportunity to experience how the game is played on this side of the world. As a basketball fan and analyst, I’m looking forward to interacting with the fans and sharing my knowledge with the talented athletes at the NBA 3X event."

Accompanying the duo in the 3-on-3 tournament are the Detroit Pistons Flight Crew, as they are tasked to assist in providing authentic NBA entertainment.

NBA 3X Philippines is the league's foray into the 3x3 scene, which has experienced a boom as of late with the recent emergence of tournaments here in the country. Presented by AXA, the 2018 edition introduced for the first time preliminary tournaments held before the actual finals proper.

Benguet State University held the first set of prelims back on August 11 and 12, followed by prelims yesterday and earlier today at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati.

Six divisions exist for the different age groups: Under-13, Under-16, Under-18, and Open for the boys, and Under-18 and Open for the girls, with a special Celebrity Division and a specific division for AXA employees and distributors.

Serving as sponsors for NBA 3X Philippines are: AXA Philippines (Presenting Partner), CloudFone, Gatorade, Panasonic, Rexona, PLDT, and SMART (Official Partners), SM Mall of Asia, and Spalding (Supporting Partners), ABS-CBN S+A, Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV (Media Partners)