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.