HoopsHype.com Rumors

Yao Ming, the former Houston Rockets superstar, believes a Filipino will someday make it to the National Basketball Association. Yao, who arrived Saturday night, said with China and other countries in Asia able to produce NBA players, it's only a matter of time before the Philippines can also make a splash into the NBA scene. "There are Iran players [in the NBA] and I believe there will be a Filipino in the NBA in the future," Yao, who said through interpreter Guo Weisheng during the Philippines-China Friendship Games presser held at the Solaire Resort & Casino in Paranaque City Sunday morning. Yahoo! Sports Philippines

Houston Rockets, Yao Ming, Philippines 

Jerome Jordan will continue his career in the Philippines with Talk 'N Text. The American big man, selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2010 NBA Draft with the 44th overall, spent this season in D-League with Reno BigHorns and D-Fenders. Sportando

Jerome Jordan, Philippines 

DJ Mbenga will continue his career in the Philippines with Barako Bull Energy. The Congolese forward with Belgian passport started the season in China with Qingdao averaging 11.9ppg and 8.6rpg in 8 CBA games. Sportando

Philippines, Didier Ilunga-Mbenga 

Like many aspiring NBA prospects, Sims is forced to continuously weigh the pros and cons between both playing close to home in the D-League, or making a move overseas to go where the more lucrative opportunities may be. With just a few weeks left in the NBA season and the chances of earning a call-up perhaps growing slimmer by the day, the big man has opted to go where the money is. Overnight Tuesday, Sims was en route to the Philippines, where he will join the Petron squad. At this point in the season, "getting noticed" and being able play stateside could just as well be valued less because of the little time left in the regular season. Thus, it makes sense for Sims to cash in on a different opportunity before perhaps returning to the states in time for Summer League. Ridiculous Upside

Philippines, Henry Sims 

pbaconnect: balkman banned from playing in the pba and fined 250,000 pesos. Twitter

Philippines, Renaldo Balkman 

Such was the stiff penalty "for initiating threatening physical contact with a referee followed by a prolonged, offensive, belligerent if not aberrant on-court decorum directed towards game officials and his Petron team mates and superiors, including the head coach and assistant coaches, amounting to a blatant and utter disrespect for the game, his own ball club, the Leauge, the fans and the host country," according to the league's official release. Salud added that he "took into consideration Balkman's track record as a player," citing a head-butting incident during a FIBA-Americas game between Puerto Rico, the country plays for, and Venezuela, as well as an altercation during a preseason tournament in Cebu, also against the same Alaska Aces team his side faced off against, which led to Friday's incident. GMANetwork.com

Philippines, Renaldo Balkman 

The commissioner also added, "I do encourage passion for the game, but I also want to firmly instill a culture of accountability among our players. "If one does something that violates the rules and the norms of sportsmanship and decent behavior, he will be made accountable." GMANetwork.com

Philippines, Renaldo Balkman 

Renaldo apologized on Twitter, but the fact is, this will stay with him forever. The whole Balkman saga is a shame. He made a name for himself in college with his hustle and intangibles, and then, once he got paid in the NBA, he lost his focus, didn't learn the plays and basically just got in the way. It's a shame, because players such as Balkman — at his best — have a place in this league. One wonders if he will ever be back. Denver Post

Philippines, Renaldo Balkman 

Balkman apologized to Santos and their teammates after the altercation. Santos, who was not injured, said he accepted their import's apology. ABS-CBN News

Philippines, Renaldo Balkman 

It's understandable if Renaldo Balkman is a little frustrated. After five NBA seasons, the 28-year-old former New York Knicks first round pick is now relegated to playing for the Petron Blaze Boosters of the Philippine Basketball Association. Although maybe not for much longer after this incident, when he channeled fellow former Knick Latrell Sprewell and tried to choke a teammate who was trying to restrain him from attacking a referee. USA Today Sports

Philippines, Renaldo Balkman 

Renaldo Balkman: I wld like to apologize to the fans, Petron Blaze, my teammates, the PBA and especially @tubidronald71 and @Arwind029. I got caught up in the moment of a very intense game.I respect @Arwind029 as a person & player.I am proud to be part of @PetronBlaze fam. This was unintentional towards @arwindsotnas, I am a team player who always has the best interest of the team at heart. Twitter

Philippines, Renaldo Balkman 

Petron Blaze Boosters import Renaldo Balkman seemed like the perfect fit for the team, giving his side hustle, energy and leadership. But the NBA veteran showed a more violent side, Friday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, in a loss to the Alaska Aces. Late in the game, Balkman went wild with the Aces pulling away, making contact with referees while arguing for a foul. As his teammates tried to pull him away, Balkman shoved Ronald Tubid, and then put a hand around Arwind Santos' neck. GMANetwork.com

Philippines, Renaldo Balkman 

An NBA Asia executive believes the historic pre-season game between the Houston Rockets and the Indiana Pacers that will be played at the Mall of Asia Arena this October will be a “national event.” Though the Mall of Asia Arena can only accommodate around 20,000 people, NBA Asia vice president Scott Levy is confident majority of the Philippine population will tune in to watch the game. “I think the majority of the people who will be watching this game will be watching it for free,” he said. “This is gonna be a national event, and there will absolutely be a lot of people in the arena, but 90-plus million people, that’s our goal,” Levy added. “Ninety-plus million people watching this game.” ABS-CBN News

Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Philippines 

The SM Mall of Asia Arena will host the first-ever preseason exhibition game between two NBA teams in Philippine shores. InterAKTV has learned that the Houston Rockets and the Indiana Pacers are set to do battle at the venue on October 10. A new conference has been scheduled on Tuesday to announce the details of the game. Last June, InterAKTV first reported that the SM Group was working on bringing an NBA game to the Philippines. “Hans Sy was invited by Commissioner Stern during the All-Star Game, and Hans told the Commissioner that he has an arena that is suitable for hosting one of the NBA games,” said Junel Baculi, the athletic director of National University which is part of the SM Group. NU hosted this UAAP season, whose games were played at the MOA Arena. Interaksyon.com

Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Philippines 

Brian Windhorst: According to @LiShuangfu Lakers & Warriors will play games in China next fall, Pacers & Rockets will play in Taipei & Philippines Twitter @WindhorstESPN

Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, China, Schedule, Philippines 

Alaska Aces officially signed Robert Dozier. The American forward will land in Manila tomorrow morning at 5.30 to join his new team. Sportando

Philippines, Robert Dozier 

Talk ‘N Text are bringing in 6-foot-11 Keith Benson, a second-round draft choice by the Atlanta Hawks in 2011. Keith Benson started his pro career in Italy with Sassari who waived him after a few weeks of Serie A. Sportando

Philippines, Keith Benson 

Emiliano Carchia: Renaldo Balkman is officially a new member of the team from Philippines, Petron Twitter @SportandoBasket

Philippines, Renaldo Balkman 

A well-known agent is making a bid to bring in Kenyon Martin for the PBA Commissioner's Cup, although there's no word yet on whether a move to the local pro league would interest the NBA star. Player agent Sheryl Reyes said she has started negotiations with the camp of the high-flying Martin, a 12-year NBA veteran who is without a team after a stint with the Los Angeles Clippers last season where he averaged 5.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 42 games. “I am moving heaven and earth to bring him here. Kenyon is now weighing his options,” said Reyes. Sports Interactive Network Philippines

Free Agency, Kenyon Martin, Philippines 

The 6-9 forward would be a big boost for any team in the tournament that will feature imports of unlimited height, but Reyes declined to reveal which PBA ballclub she is representing in the negotiations. “The deal is a go if Martin decides on it, his final decision will matter in the end,” she said. Sports Interactive Network Philippines

Free Agency, Kenyon Martin, Philippines