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Friday, April 28, 2006
Rodman samples delicacy, eats leaf wrapper, too
CEBU CITY -- The Cebu media was not spared the antics of the former Chicago Bulls star forward Dennis Rodman, who snubbed a press conference during his arrival Thursday at the Mandaue City Hall.
After being mobbed by a throng of supporters at the airport and at the Mandaue City Hall, Rodman and the rest of the "Touring Bad Boy" entourage met Mayor Thadeo Ouano.
But when he learned of the press conference, Rodman backed off and retreated to his hotel room. Rodman was also not present during the luncheon-press conference at the Yo Latino.
"Dennis is very mad. He lacked slept and he is going to play hard tonight," said Mario Whitmire, the president of the West End Sports Tours (West), which is responsible for bringing the NBA Legends in the Philippines.
A taste of budbud
But what might have annoyed Rodman most was when he ate budbod, a kind of rice cake, which was served to the guests, unaware that he still had to peel off the banana leaves wrapped around the delicacy.
Rodman walked out without saying a word after the incident.
Coming along with Rodman were Alex English, Darryl Dawkins, Otis Birdsong, Calvin Murphy and Sidney Moncrief. NBA hopefuls who are also members of the team are NBA Developmental League's Tedd Wofferson, Kareem Reed, Marion Allen and John Walkerson.
It took Rodman and company almost 30 minutes to get off the bus shortly after arriving at the Mandaue City Hall grounds. Rodman and the other NBA Legends wanted the local organizers to sign a waiver to guarantee their safety.
Media off
He also had another condition: "Get the media off."
According to Whitmire, Rodman still has to catch sleep and is still trying to acclimatize himself to the weather.
For his part, Dawkins, who is the first player to break a backboard in the NBA, said he was prepared to showcase his "Thrilla in Manila" dunk during the exhibition game against the SMC-All Stars (the game was in progress at press time at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex).
"We're here to bring international basketball to the Philippines," Dawkins said, who is also a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. (Rommel C. Manlosa/Sun.Star Cebu)
(April 28, 2006 issue)
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