NBA star Shawn Marion is in Manila to help out with the anti-bullying and anti-hazing campaigns, and help create some money for the Yolanda relief funds, by starring in a basketball clinic and celebrity poker game.
The ties between basketball and poker strengthen as the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA star, Shawn Marion, flies into Manila to participate in a celebrity poker game. Basketball clinics are also part of the plan with the aim to raise money for charity.
Marion’s itinerary includes a trip to Filipino school’s to help out with anti-bullying and anti-hazing campaigns. He then heads to Legazpi City where he will hold a series of basketball clinics for under privileged children. The week ends with his involvement in a celebrity poker tournament.
“It’s my first time in the Philippines,” Marion told abs-cbnnews. “I want to thank Hoops Cares for letting me come out here for a great cause. I’m all for giving back to the community.”
The four-time NBA All-Star joined the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent in the off-season after many people believed he was going to join Larry Bird’s Indiana Pacer’s. It’s believed the opportunity to play with LeBron James swayed his decision.
Poker and Basketball Ties Strengthen
The relationship between basketball and poker became more prominent after PartyPoker entered into a sponsorship deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, at the turn of the year, and NBA star Paul Pierce thrilled poker fans with a deep run at this years World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event.
A few weeks ago, we brought you news that the former WSOP Main Event Champion Ryan Riess had been drafted to join the Josh Hutcherson Celebrity Basketball Game, and a recent interview with WSOP bracelet winner, Tristan Wade, revealed a business relationship with the Instagram star Johnny Stephene aka dribble2much.
Operation Hoops
Back to Marion, and the trip has been arranged by Operation Hoops Cares with co-operation from the AKO-Bicol Partylist. Marion aims to raise funds for the victims of the super typhoon Yolanda that killed over 6,000 people when it devastated Southeast Asia on Nov 9, 2013.
The buy-in for the poker tournament will be P10, 000 ($230) and prizes include four suite tickets to an NBA game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans, as well as two other tickets to an NBA game of the winners choosing.
Lacey Jones to Star
Fashion model, TV host and poker player, Lacey Jones, will be joining Marion in the game and told abs-cbn news that she was, ‘looking forward to this poker tournament, where we can raise money for homes in Tacloban. We’re going to have a great tournament and it should be a lot of fun.”
I wonder if the Philippines latest basketball sensation Manny Pacquiao will be taking a seat in the game to celebrate his recent first draft pick for the Philippines Basketball Association (PBA)?
Or perhaps the boxing sensation may even join one of Marion’s clinics?
