By Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV

A selection of PBA stars with B-MEG coach Tim Cone at the helm will welcome the Chinese Basketball Association’s Shanghai Sharks, a team co-owned by former NBA superstar Yao Ming, in a friendly game at the newly-built SM Mall of Asia Arena on June 28.

PBA operations manager Rickie Santos confirmed the news to InterAKTV, adding that PBA selection would be composed of 16 players.

By The Associated Press

Roy Hibbert had 19 points and 18 rebounds, George Hill scored 20 and Danny Granger 17 as the Indiana Pacers, showing more balance, toughness and togetherness than Miami, throttled the Heat 94-75 on Thursday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Overlooked during the regular season and given little chance to upset the reigning East champions, the Pacers took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

By ADRIAN DY, GMA News

The third conference of the 2011-2012 PBA season kicks off Sunday and with it comes a new set of exciting storylines and sensational players to follow.

But before the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, the Alaska Aces, the Petron Blaze Boosters and the Powerade Tigers try to jump-start the Governor's Cup with a win, here are 10 locals to keep an eye on, as they look to play key roles in their respective teams' success.

By Joaquin Henson The Philippine Star

A varsity teammate of NBA star Blake Griffin is set to arrive in Manila today and report for duty as Meralco’s import in the PBA Governors Cup starting Sunday. Juan Pattillo, who played alongside Griffin with the University of Oklahoma Sooners in 2008-09, was signed up by the Bolts after early pick Devin Green measured over the height limit of 6-5 and last conference’s import Tim Pickett backed out after twisting his ankle in a pick-up game.

By The Associated Press

Kevin Garnett scored 27 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and used a dominant second quarter to help the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 107-91 on Wednesday night and take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Whistled for a costly illegal pick late in a Game 2 loss, Garnett crushed the Sixers early and never let them think about a fourth-quarter rally.

By Joaquin Henson The Philippine Star

Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee intends to end his three-stop, offseason training program in Manila on Aug. 1-15 and Smart Gilas coach Chot Reyes said yesterday the 7-footer with an unreal 90.5-inch wingspan might join the national team practices during his stay.

A bill was recently filed in Congress by Rep. Robbie Puno to make McGee a naturalized citizen with the view of gaining eligibility to represent the country with Gilas in competitions such as the FIBA-Asia Championships, World Championships and Olympics.

By The Associated Press

David West scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, George Hill added 15 and the Indiana Pacers took home-court advantage away from Miami by beating the Heat 78-75 in Game 2 of the teams' Eastern Conference semifinal series Tuesday night.

LeBron James scored 28 points for Miami and Dwyane Wade finished with 24, but both missed big chances for the Heat late.

By Francis Respicio, News5

A bill has been filed in the House of Representatives to naturalize Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee to make him eligible for the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team.

Antipolo City representative Robbie Puno filed House Bill 6169, which would make McGee a Filipino citizen. Puno, in his bill’s cover letter, cited McGee’s “remarkable track record in the United States’ professional basketball scene” as consideration for his inclusion in the SMART-Gilas program.

By WAYLON GALVEZ, Manila Bulletin

Barangay Ginebra guard Mark Caguioa, who won the award as best player of the just-ended PBA conference, has recently rejoined the team’s practice, although it remains uncertain if he will play in the season-ending Governors’ Cup that starts Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

Ginebra mentor Siot Tanquingcen said yesterday that the 6-foot-1 guard was finally given the ‘green light’ by doctors to join the team’s training but was advised to do it gradually so as not to aggravate his injured right eye.

By The Associated Press

Russell Westbrook had 27 points and nine assists, Kevin Durant added 25 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder blasted the weary Los Angeles Lakers 119-90 on Monday night in the opening game of the Western Conference semifinals.

The Thunder took a 15-point halftime lead, then opened the third quarter with a 15-2 blitz filled with crowd-pleasing 3-pointers and dunks.