Organizers Apologize Following Cancellation Of Game Between NBA Stars, Philippine Team

Organizers of a visit by NBA players to the "basketball-mad Philippines have apologised and offered refunds after an exhibition game was abruptly cancelled," according to the AFP. Tycoon Manny Pangilinan, whose company sponsored the scheduled match Tuesday night, issued a "profuse apology amid growing anger at the cancellation." The NBA team was "supposed to play 'five on five' games" with the national team, Gilas Pilipinas, on Tuesday and Wednesday. But on Tuesday night, before a "large crowd" -- some of whom had paid as much as $530 -- it was "abruptly announced that the players would instead just engage in practice drills" (AFP, 7/23).