MANILA – National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is set to embark on another Asian tour next week with the Philippines as his first stop.

In his one-day visit to Manila on July 21, Bryant is expected to interact with young basketball players who dream of making it big just like the 2009 NBA Finals most valuable player.

“Nike Philippines is proud to welcome Kobe Bryant back to Manila, and we are excited to be the first stop of his Asia tour,” said Nike Philippines country marketing manager Mae Dichupa.

Bryant will be meeting with young basketball players from some Gawad Kalinga communities at the Nike Park, The Fort in Taguig City at 2 p.m.

From The Fort, Bryant will proceed to the PhilSports Arena (formerly ULTRA) in Pasig City where he will hold a basketball camp.

He is set to work with his young fans to help them increase their level of play. He will also showcase his skills and share his basketball prowess alongside the Nike Elite Campers, a group of up-and-coming young basketball players.

Gates at the PhilSports Arena will open at 3 p.m. while the show will start at 4 p.m.

Despite his brief visit, Dichupa said, “We know he will again touch many young lives, inspiring them to reach for their hoop dreams.”

Meantime, Bryant will also introduce the new Dream Season shoe in the Nike-sponsored Asian tour that will also go Singapore, Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Chengdu.

The Nike Dream Season is a first of its kind basketball shoe designed for outdoor games. It was designed with insights from Bryant himself.

Both lightweight and durable, the Nike Dream Season is sleek and aggressive much like Bryant’s style of play.

Tickets to see Bryant at the PhilSports Arena will be distributed on Saturday, July 18, beginning at 12 p.m. at the Nike Park, The Fort.

Tickets are free of charge and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Only two tickets will be given per person, with a total of 3,000 tickets to be distributed.

For more information on Kobe Bryant’s 2009 Asia Tour: Philippines, log on to www.nike.com.ph.