Marbury back again in the Philippines for charity work

Former NBA All-Star and current Chinese Basketball superstar Stephon Marbury returned to the country on Friday for a weekend visit to continue his charity work, which is a desire to promote an active lifestyle as well as provide the youth with low-cost, high-quality footwear from his Starbury shoe line.

Kicking off the visit is a shoe-giving project with agent Sheryl Reyes, Sen. Sonny Angara and Manila vice mayor Isko Moreno at the Tondo National High School. And then on Saturday, he is scheduled to meet with the media with the launch of the Jersey for a Cause, in conjunction with Reyes and Jersey Haven, then host a fund-raising event at the Starwood Cafe in Makati at night.

Angara was convinced by the Coney Island-native's rags-to-riches story and his love for the Filipinos as his motive for joining the project. The chairman of the Senate Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports says that Marbury "continues to be an inspiration to kids worldwide because of his inspiring story of having come from humble beginnings to NBA superstardom." He welcomes Steph's decision of selecting the Philippines as one venue of his charitable efforts, citing "how much Filipinos love basketball" and how they "look up to him." 
 
In an e-mail, the two-time champion in the Chinese Basketball Association views this as an opportunity to share his blessings with the youth. He hopes that "one day, they will pay it forward and be a blessing to others.

Marbury has been active with his social work here in the country within the past few months, including a charity basketball event last August aimed to benefit the National Press Club's medical and educational assistance fund as well as the Ahon Pamilyang Lansangan Foundation. This weekend would constitute his fourth visit.

Stephon Marbury schedules 4th Manila visit

Illustration from Sheryl Reyes' Twitter account

He's coming back to Manila again.

Stephon Marbury will be making his way to Manila later this month to conduct another fundraising project, as well as officially launch his Starbury line in the Philippines.

In an email to his agent, Sheryl Reyes, the Georgia Tech standout "can't wait to be back," and appreciates the love that the Philippines has always shown towards him.

He adds that he wants to "be a blessing to others," and doing his share in uplifting the lives of others, noting that there are a lot of people, particularly sick children, needing help.

Marbury's latest fundraiser is a collaboration with Jersey Haven for their "Jersey for a Cause" project, with some of the proceeds earmarked towards the Ahon Pamilyang Lansangan Foundation's work with Biliary Atresia-afflicted children. Proceeds will also benefit the National Press Club of the Philippines, specifically for the funding of its medical and educational assistance programs for its members and their immediate families.

Details on the design and price of the limited edition jersey will be revealed at a later date.

Steph will also have a shoe drive with Sen. Sonny Angara at selected locations during his three-day stay.

Marbury was limited to 12 games in his 3rd season with the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association, averaging under 17 ppg. However, he took it up a notch in the postseason, scoring 25.7 points, which included a 43-point outburst against Guandong on March 8. He capped that off by leading the Ducks to their second CBA crown in the last three seasons.