Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose was paid $400,000 each by Manny Pangilinan

The 3 superstars who played two games here in the Philippines have been reportedly paid $400,000 each for the exhibition games held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The amount that have been given to the NBA superstars was first reported by Sports Illustrated writer Sam Amick.

Wow, $400,000 is equivalent to almost 17 million pesos, and that's for two games only. Well I think that's within their talent fee, considering those three, are superstars in the NBA, and those amount are nothing to Manny Pangilinan. But the real winner in that event are the fans, man if it was held here near our place, I would surely watch it.

The Smart Ultimate All Star Weekend was brought about by the major sponsors of the Philippines National Basketball Team, the Smart Communication. Chairman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Manny Pangilinan was the main man behind the invitation of NBA Players to play in the Philippines.

China's NBA Star Yao Ming Retires at 30

So sad not to see him play again. Yao Ming has announced his retirement on Wednesday after a trailblazing career that made him China's best known athlete abroad and helped spur the game's global growth.

Yao Ming made the announcement during a press conference in his hometown of Shanghai after his last two seasons with the Houston Rockets were dogged by injuries. "I would like to thank you for giving me a great nine year career," he said. "Nine years ago I came to Houston as a young, skinny player and the entire city and team changed me into a grown man, not only a basketball player."

He enjoyed a high profile, but the rigors of top flight basketball proved too much for his massive frame and his career has been marked by lengthy absences from the court due to a succession of mostly foot injuries and leg injuries.

I'm really gonna miss the 7 foot 6 inches height of his, rarely would you see such height like Yao that is a great low post presence and can shoot well outside too.

A Comeback for Kenneth Duremdes in the PBA

Captain Marbel is returning? for me I think he should re think it first. The level of play in the PBA is way above during his time, and at 37 years old, I don't think he can keep in par with the much younger and athletic players of the PBA today.

There are rumors circulating in sites and forums that Kenneth Duremdes is thinking of coming out of retirement to join the Powerade Tigers next season. Duremdes planned comeback started circulating in social network site shortly after Powerade finished it campaign in the PBA's 36th season with a 86-81 win over Meralco.

Duremdes is currently one of the assistants of coach Bo Perasol and an executive pf the team under Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines. Perasol neither confirmed nor denied it when asked on Duremdes planned comeback by next year. "It can happen but I think it's a way of honoring him."

It maybe a rumor, if its true or not I don't care that much. But if the Tigers want to make a noise next year they should focus on what the team needs, rather than getting a retired player that is past his prime already.

Kobe Bryant, CP3 and other NBA Superstars vs PBA All Star and Smart Gilas

Wow, that's all I can say. I enjoyed watching online when Kobe went to visit Manila, and played briefly for the UAAP Selection against the Smart Gilas. It was a great to see such player of Bryant's caliber to play along side our college up coming stars and our countries representative Smart Gilas.

If that wasn't enough Kobe will come back on July 23 and 24, not by himself but together with several NBA stars like Hornet's Chris Paul, the King's Tyreke Evans, Thunder's James Harden.

Chot Reyes, the executive director of MVP Sports Foundation was the one who made the official announcement yesterday in a media conference inside the Big Dome, with him at the presscon were PBA Chairman Rene Pardo, Commisioner Chito Salud, and MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio.

The PBA selection will be the first to play the NBA team on July 23 at 7pm and Smart Gilas on the next day at 1pm.

Tickets are at Php 5,500 for the patron, Php 3,800 for lower box, and Php 1,600 for the upper box section. General admission tickets are priced at Php 300.

For more info please visit the PBA website www.pba.com.ph

Andre Agassi Enshrined into Tennis Hall of Fame

Retired American professional tennis player Andre Agassi was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Almost 5 years after he retired from the game.

A former world number 1 who captured eight grand slam singles titles, Agassi was enshrined at a ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island, along with Fern Lee 'Peachy' Kellmeyer, a trailblazing administrator in women's professional tennis.

Now 41, the American was in a reflective mood at his induction, admitting he made mistakes but was grateful for everything the sport gave him.

Congratulation for Agassi, it was during his time that I was hooked in watching tennis. I love the way he returns those powerful serves by opposing players, especially against power hitters like Pete Sampras.

In 2001, he married fellow tennis Hall of Famer Steffi Graf of Germany. The couple have two children and live in Las Vegas.

Factors to Consider in Owning Your Dream Car

I have always loved riding cars and I always wanted to have one. May it be a muscled car, exotic car, vintage car, I really adore them. I'm taking a public vehicle when I go to work and the route to my office always passes by a car shop, and today they are showcasing the Toyota Camry. Wow the first time I saw that car I really wanted one but I always think of several factors to consider when trying to own one.

First to consider would be the price of owning a car, a Camry will cost maybe around $25,000 to 27,000. Second would be the auto insurance, yes of course you need to have one because let's face it, your car would be the second big investment to make next to your house. I'm not that good when it comes to insurance but a friend of mine gave me a good auto insurance tips. Lastly would be if the car you gonna buy would have plenty of available parts on the market. So that if there's any problems with your car parts you won't be having a problem trying to find a replacement.

Considering these factors, all I can say is that my dream car would indeed remain a dream.