Pacers star dazzled by young cagers

Indiana Pacers star Paul George considers his second trip to Manila a blessing after gracing the opening of Nike’s House of Rise yesterday at Sheridan Road in Mandaluyong City.

Two years ago, he played in an exhibition game between his team and the Houston Rockets where he enjoyed an NBA-like atmosphere at the Mall of Asia Arena as fans cheered them lustily each time they made a basket.

This time, George said he will go home with another bag full of happy memories after witnessing 24 young athletes participate in the Nike #Rise program.

George arrived Sunday night and was able to visit a basketball court at a tenement in Taguig City where he took part in a pick-up game with youngsters – an event he will forever cherish saying inspiring and helping youngsters gives him a different ‘high.’

“When I was here the first time I got a chance to go out with my teammates and see the Mall of Asia. It was cool,” said George is a press briefing yesterday at the House of Rise.

“But it’s never like this the past couple of days. I got to see the city, meet the kids and make an impact. It’s almost like a story as they watch the show that was about to go down. The energy I felt, I knew I was in for something crazy.”

“It’s something that I can tell to people back in the US and it’s something I can cherish. They love the game just like I love the game. It shows that they watch the game, they got the tricks, the shots, the handle was crazy.”

George, 25, joined the training yesterday, and he was impressed with what he saw from the 24 participants.