NEWS
NBA MVP to receive Michael Jordan Trophy
December 13, 2022 10:06 p.m.
“Our new collection of trophies celebrates some of the greatest and most impactful players in the history of the NBA,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “As we recognize the league’s top performers each season, we also pay tribute to the legends who embody these prestigious awards.”
THE MICHAEL JORDAN TROPHY – Awarded to the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player:
The league’s MVP will now be awarded with The Michael Jordan Trophy, bearing the name of the NBA legend widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. During his illustrious career, Jordan was named MVP five times. The Hall of Famer also earned six NBA championships, six NBA Finals MVP Awards, 11 All-NBA Team selections, 14 NBA All-Star selections, three NBA All-Star Game MVP Awards, 10 scoring titles, an NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, an NBA Rookie of the Year Award and selections to the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
Mark Smith, retired VP of Innovation Special Projects at Nike, Inc., and Jordan Brand designer, worked in creative partnership with Jordan to design the new trophy, which symbolizes an NBA player’s journey to winning an MVP. Smith has collaborated with Jordan on countless projects over the past two decades. Artist Victor Solomon will manufacture the trophy on a yearly basis.
The bronze trophy features a player breaking out of a rock to reach for the ultimate rock – a crystal basketball. From the bottom to its top, the patina of the trophy grows more burnished – “raw to refined” – signifying the MVP’s hard work and progression from entering the league to achieving the NBA’s greatest individual honor. The trophy’s reach symbolizes an MVP’s endless chase for greatness.
Additionally included throughout are subtle nods that pay tribute to the trophy’s namesake:
- The trophy stands 23.6 inches tall and weighs 23.6 pounds, representing Jordan’s jersey number (23) and number of NBA championships (6).
- Its five-sided base is a nod to Jordan’s five league MVPs.
- The namesake badge is six-sided, a nod to Jordan’s six NBA championships.
- The 15-degree angle of the base is a nod to Jordan’s 15-season career.
- The crystal basketball consists of 23 points, a nod to Jordan’s jersey number.
- The crystal basketball measures 1.23 inches in diameter, in reference to the singularity of the MVP and Jordan’s standout career.
“I’m incredibly honored to have created the NBA’s MVP trophy in partnership with Michael Jordan,” said Smith. “Sculpting Michael’s vision of his own pursuit of athletic achievement into this award has been the opportunity and challenge of a lifetime. As we worked together on this project, it was very important to Michael that the figure not be a likeness of him, but instead that the recipient should be able to see himself in the award. For Michael, naming the award in his honor was recognition enough.”
THE JERRY WEST TROPHY – Awarded to the Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year:
The NBA will introduce a new Kia Performance Award at the end of the 2022-23 season, the Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year, with its recipient receiving The Jerry West Trophy.
Voted on by a media panel based on nominations from NBA head coaches, the award will honor the NBA player who best comes through for his teammates in the clutch.
Legendary Los Angeles Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn gave West the nickname “Mr. Clutch” for his extraordinary shooting at the end of close games. West is an NBA champion, 14-time NBA All-Star, NBA Finals MVP, NBA All-Star Game MVP, 12-time All-NBA Team selection and a member of the 35th, 50th and 75th NBA Anniversary Teams. During the 1971-72 season, West led the Lakers to a record 33 consecutive regular-season victories and an NBA championship.
The trophy features an NBA player shooting a jump shot, modeled after West’s perfect form.
“There are few greater thrills as a basketball player than coming through for your teammates and fans when they need it most,” said West, Special Advisor, LA Clippers. “This new trophy will be awarded to the player who best delivers in those moments.”
The Jerry West Trophy, as well as the following newly designed trophies awarded to the Kia Performance Award winners, were designed in collaboration with Solomon. The trophies all feature an embedment inside a 15-inch crystal net structure. The front face is flat to allow for a direct line of sight to the icon, and the etching of the award and recipient is detailed at the bottom.
“While working alongside the NBA to reimagine the league’s trophy offerings, our singular goal was to create a cohesive collection of honors worthy of the athletes who raise them,” said Solomon. “These trophies celebrate the hard work of the players who reach the pinnacle of individual excellence while honoring the NBA legends who have defined that greatness.”
THE HAKEEM OLAJUWON TROPHY – Awarded to the Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year:
Defensive dominance helped define Hakeem Olajuwon’s Hall of Fame career. A two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection, Olajuwon is the league’s all-time leader in blocked shots and ranks ninth in steals. He is also a two-time NBA champion, 12-time NBA All-Star, league MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP, 12-time All-NBA Team selection and a member of the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
The trophy features a player in a classic defensive stance with one hand up and one down, knees bent and ready to move.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to celebrate the league’s best defensive player each year,” said Olajuwon. “Great basketball teams are defined by their ability to defend, with every great team connected by an elite defensive anchor.”
THE WILT CHAMBERLAIN TROPHY – Awarded to the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year:
Wilt Chamberlain’s 1959-60 season is unmatched for an NBA rookie. Chamberlain averaged 37.6 points and 27.0 rebounds in 46.4 minutes per game for the Philadelphia Warriors, winning both the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards. His career highlights include two NBA championships, 13 NBA All-Star selections, four league MVPs, 10 All-NBA Team selections, an NBA Finals MVP and inclusion on the league’s 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
The trophy features a player palming two basketballs at once.
“We are humbled and thankful that the NBA has immortalized Wilt’s greatness with this honor,” said Barbara Chamberlain Lewis, Wilt’s sister, and the Chamberlain family. “Wilt rewrote nearly every NBA record throughout his illustrious career, which tipped off with an incredible rookie season that redefined what was possible and set a ceiling as high as he stood for all rookies who have followed.”
THE JOHN HAVLICEK TROPHY – Awarded to the Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year:
John Havlicek starred in his role during his Hall of Fame career, excelling off the bench like no player before him. Havlicek came off the bench for the first seven seasons of his career and was an All-Star in four of those seasons. His career highlights include eight NBA championships, 13 NBA All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA Team selections, an NBA Finals MVP, eight NBA All-Defensive Team selections and inclusion on the league’s 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
The trophy features a player elevated and shooting a running jumper, symbolic of the boost provided by the player to his team.
“We are honored that the NBA recognized John’s career achievements with this award,” said Beth Havlicek, John’s wife, and the Havlicek family. “John defined what it means to be the ultimate sixth man, with his leadership and stellar play serving as the utmost example of effectively starring in a role for the betterment of the team.”
THE GEORGE MIKAN TROPHY – Awarded to the Kia NBA Most Improved Player of the Year:
A layup and footwork exercise known as the “Mikan Drill” has been used for decades by players at all levels to improve their game. It is named for George Mikan, who mastered the fundamentals as the NBA’s first dominant big man. His Hall of Fame career included five NBA championships in seven seasons, four NBA All-Star selections, an NBA All-Star Game MVP, six selections to the All-NBA Team and inclusion on the NBA’s 25th, 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
“We are grateful that the NBA has recognized George’s career achievements with this honor,” said Mike Mikan, son of George Mikan #99, and the Mikan family. “George is one of the best NBA players ever, but perhaps his greatest legacy is the one he has passed down to others through his legendary ‘Mikan Drill,’ providing generations of basketball players around the world with the tools to improve their game.”
Today’s announcement builds on Kia America’s support of the NBA’s performance award platform for the past 15 seasons.
NEWS
Pacquiao, Paradigm set for March trial in US
January 27, 2023 7:40 a.m.
Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and a sports management firm he was previously associated with will be heading to a March trial in the United States, according to several reports Thursday.
Paradigm Sports Management, headed by founder and chief executive Audie Attar, sued the 44-year-old Pacquiao in June 2021 for alleged breach of contract after the latter opted to fight unified welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr. instead of the former’s preferred fighter, Mikey Garcia.
But PSM’s request to prevent the Pacquiao-Spence fight from happening on August 21, 2021 failed as Judge Walter Schwarm junked the injunction filed by Attar’s group.
The fight, however, still didn’t materialize due to an eye injury suffered by Spence, and Pacquiao instead ended up taking on replacement opponent Yordenis Ugas.
Pacquiao lost to Ugas via unanimous decision in their bout in Las Vegas — his last pro fight — yet the court case with Paradigm remained active.
expressed confidence that they will win the case against Pacquiao.
“Manny’s days of thumbing his nose at our contractual rights are almost at an end. We have an overwhelming case against him and look forward to justice being served,” PSM’ statement read.
“The court has already entered an order stating that — due to his consistent violation of court orders — Pacquiao is now deemed to have admitted that he breached his contract with Paradigm and that Paradigm has suffered more than $20 million in damages,” it added.
PSM also warned promoters, managers, fighters and broadcast networks not to interfere or enter into negotiations with Pacquiao with the lawsuit ongoing.
“Once Paradigm wins at trial in March, we will cut off 100% of Manny’s opportunities to earn money in the United States from any source because any revenue he generates will be attached to his judgment,” the company said.
“Additionally, Paradigm will pursue enforcement of its judgement in any foreign country where Manny seeks to fight.”
‘All the best to Manny’
Meanwhile, former longtime Pacquiao associate Jayke Joson is wishing the boxing legend “all the best” ahead of the March trial.
“As Manny Pacquiao’s longtime friend and ally before — and even now I always consider him as my brother — I really wish him all the best despite the hardships we’ve been through last year as we’re all just human beings,” Joson said.
Joson is also hoping Pacquiao will finally settle the lawsuit, which would allow the latter to fight again in the US.
“But with the trial now slated in March, I’m praying for my friend to be enlightened, make amends, reach out to Paradigm Sports Management, and hope to get the best result at the end of the day,” he continued.
“This is what we’ve been saying to him for a long time, that all we wanted is for his own good,” Joson said.
Pacquiao figured in an exhibition bout in December last year, dominating Korean YouTuber DK Yoo over six rounds in South Korea.
NEWS
Rep. Atayde backs Banawe St. as QC Chinatown
Jan. 26, 2023 6:00 p.m.
ONE of the many initiatives by the Quezon City government supported by its first district Congressman Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde is the transformation of Banawe Street into a modern-day Quezon City Chinatown.
The 32-year-old freshman lawmaker expressed his all-out support to the City Ordinance No. 2453-2015, where QC Mayor Joy Belmonte declared Banawe St. as the city’s very own Chinatown or its tourism district.
“My city, my mayor and my colleagues are for it — and I’m simply for it too, to firmly establish the Banawe area as Quezon City’s Chinatown because we believe in the next few months and years to come the entire district and our entire city will benefit with this great initiative,” Atayde said.
Atayde, a well-known young actor, added that throughout the decades, the Banawe community and the variety of businesses established by Filipinos in the area, have been emerging from time to time, giving Filipinos more job opportunities in the district.
The Chinese Horoscope for year 2023, he also said, stands for the year of the Rabbit or Water Rabbit that represents peaceful and patient energy, while the water element suggests tapping into inner wisdom and trusting instincts.
“Combined, the Water Rabbit indicates focusing on relationships, diplomacy, and building bridges,” Atayde also said during his speech at the Banawe Chinese New Year Celebration last week.
“The timing of the celebration and the declaration of Banawe area as Quezon City’s Chinatown is the product of relationships, diplomacy and building bridges.”
Atayde thanked Mayor Belmonte for making it happen — reviving the Banawe Chinese New Year’s Celebration — and the organizer’s of that last week’s activity for making him a part of it, where everybody witnessed the traditional Dragon Dance and fireworks, among others.
“On behalf of my constituents, I would also like to thank the City Government led by our outstanding Mayor Joy Belmonte for making this happen — not only for Banawe but for the entire Quezon City,” he added.
Aside from Atayde and Mayor Belmonte, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian Isang, QC Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, QC Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen President Joaquin Co and QC Chinatown Development Foundation Chairman Charles Chen were also supportive of the city’s initiative.
NEWS
Enchanted Kingdom Installs WiFi Powered by Globe, for a Magical Guest Experience
January 25, 2023 3:21 p.m.
Enchanted Kingdom adds a dash of magic to the already enchanting experience of their guests by partnering with Globe Business in installing reliable high-speed WiFi services at key areas throughout the Philippines’ first and only world-class theme park.
With Globe Business Managed WiFi, guests can enjoy 30-minute complimentary access to the internet, while EKsperience the Magic Card Holders can stay connected all day long, giving them the freedom to explore the theme park while sharing their adventures online.
“In today’s digital era, the ability to capture and share one’s memories with their family and friends online is essential to the full enjoyment of any magical experience,” shares Cynthia R. Mamon, Chief Operating Officer, Enchanted Kingdom. “Through our partnership with Globe Business, we’re better equipped to provide families enchanting experiences and memories that last a lifetime.”
The Managed WiFi connection also improves digital processes and transactions across the park. By complementing the theme park’s existing IT Network, the solution helps ensure a faster, seamless, and worry-free experience for the guests—from front-gate ticketing and accessing Enchanted Kingdom’s online store, to transacting in retail and food shops.
Enchanted Kingdom, recently awarded the People’s Choice Award for Destination/Attraction by the Department of Tourism, stays true to their vision of being one of the world-class attractions in Asia, and the Philippines’ top family leisure and entertainment destination. By partnering with Globe Business and embracing digital transformation, they provide an even more magical experience for Filipinos and their international patrons.
“We are glad to take part in Enchanted Kingdom’s journey to bring outstanding world-class experiences to their customers,” shares Chris Cheng, Globe Business Vice President for Connectivity & Digital Products. “Our Managed WiFi, a part of our Managed Services Portfolio, supports our client’s vision of exceptional customer experience by ensuring a reliable and secure connection to their patrons, helping them in their journey towards digitalization.”
With the theme park’s continuous support of community development, improving livelihood in Laguna, and pursuit of digital transformation, this partnership aligns with Globe’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically UN SDG No. 9, which emphasizes the importance of innovation as a driver of economic growth and development.
Visit our Managed Network Services page or contact your Globe Business Account Manager to learn more about our solutions.
Pacquiao, Paradigm set for March trial in US
Rep. Atayde backs Banawe St. as QC Chinatown
Enchanted Kingdom Installs WiFi Powered by Globe, for a Magical Guest Experience
First in Manila! All immersive experiences lead to SM with its 3D Whale Shark billboard, Space Tunnel, Golden Gateway, dazzling light shows
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