LOS ANGELES, CA -- “Filipino Hoops and Heritage Night” will be held by the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Saturday, December 5, 2009 during its game against the Indiana Pacers at the world famous STAPLES Center in downtown Los Angeles. The historic event is the first of its kind to be held by the LA Clippers. Raymond Townsend, the first and only Pilipino basketball player to ever play in the NBA, is teaming with the LA Clippers to produce a unique celebration of Pilipino culture and heritage, while promoting the game of basketball, one of the most popular sports in the Philippines and among Pilipinos worldwide.
The theme of Filipino Hoops and Heritage Night is “Follow Your Dreams”, and will highlight an array of talented young performers from the Pilipino community. Special Philippine cultural, dance, and vocal performances will occur during pre-game festivities and at halftime, while the national anthem will be performed by nine-year-old Filipina singing sensation Ciana Pelekai. In keeping with the theme, the evening will also feature 30-second “Follow Your Dreams” video vignettes played on the scoreboard video screen, featuring Pilipino celebrities who have realized their dreams in several fields.
“It is my desire to bring the NBA to our Pilipino communities to honor our rich heritage,” says Raymond Townsend. “I was fortunate enough to realize my dream of playing basketball in the NBA, and my hope is to support the youth in our community and encourage them to follow their dreams as well.” Townsend, whose mother Virginia Marie Rugnao hailed from Taal, Batangas in the Philippines, was a first round NBA draft pick in 1978, and played in the NBA from 1978-1982 for the Golden State Warriors and then the Indiana Pacers. Townsend also played college basketball at UCLA from 1974-1978, and was a member of the 1975 UCLA Basketball National Champions under legendary Coach John Wooden.
The evening starts with a meet and greet reception from 5:30pm – 6:30pm at the City View Terrace inside STAPLES Center. The meet and greet will be attended by Filipino cultural performers, celebrities, NBA basketball legends, and Raymond Townsend himself. Attendees will have the opportunity for autographs and photos throughout the reception. Pre-game entertainment begins at 6:30pm, followed by tipoff at 7:30pm.
Discount tickets are available in special Filipino Hoops and Heritage Night seating sections, for $15 (upper level center), $35 (200’s level), and $47 (lower level 100’s) by visiting www.filipinohoopsandheritage.com. All tickets include a free collector’s edition Filipino Hoops and Heritage Night T-shirt. Additional T-shirts are available for purchase as well. The meet and greet is open to the first 500 FHHN attendees with lower level (100’s) tickets, on a first-come, first-served basis. Early ticket purchase is highly encouraged, as seats are limited.
A portion of the proceeds from Filipino Hoops and Heritage Night will benefit local Filipino community nonprofit organizations, as well as relief efforts for Typhoon Ondoy and Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines. For more information, please visit www.filipinohoopsandheritage.com.
To Purchase Tickets - Visit www.filipinohoopsandheritage.com, or go directly to the LA Clippers ticket website at www.clippers.com/filipino.
About Raymond Townsend
Raymond Townsend is the first and only Filipino NBA basketball player and member of 1975 UCLA Basketball National Champions. A true pioneer among Filipino-American athletes, Townsend played four seasons and was a three-year starter on the UCLA Basketball team, and was a member of legendary coach John Wooden’s 10th and final NCAA Championship team in 1975. His senior season, he was the last John Wooden recruit to graduate, currently tied for the 7th best free throw percentage in UCLA history with Jamaal Wilkes (87.9%) and one of the top five shooting guards in field goal percentage in UCLA history (54.6%). Townsend was selected in the first round of the 1978 National Basketball Association Draft, and played for the Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers. Townsend is an experienced director and manager who founded two companies in San Jose, California, that have serviced over 30,000 children in the past 18 years.
