Filipino Basketball Fans Get Up Close With Jason Kidd and Lauren Jackson at vivo x NBA Meet-and-Greet

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Filipino basketball fans had a rare opportunity to meet two of the sport’s most celebrated figures as NBA champion Jason Kidd and WNBA legend Lauren Jackson took part in an exclusive vivo x NBA meet-and-greet at the vivo Concept Store in SM Megamall.

Held on August 28, the intimate gathering brought Kidd and Jackson face-to-face with 30 selected Filipino fans for an afternoon of basketball stories, career lessons, and memorable personal interactions.

Lessons from two basketball legends

During the Q&A session, the two Hall of Famers reflected on the experiences that shaped their remarkable careers—from handling pressure and overcoming setbacks to finding the right teammates and continuing to grow beyond basketball.

For Kidd, whose career includes an NBA championship, 10 All-Star selections, an Olympic gold medal, and a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame before becoming an NBA coach, one of the most important lessons was appreciating every stage of the journey.

“Enjoy it. A lot of times, you’re in the moment, you’re so competitive trying to figure out how to win, and sometimes don’t take a second just to enjoy it,” Kidd shared.

He also offered a simple but powerful message about failure, one that extends well beyond the basketball court.

“It’s alright to fail. We’ve all missed shots, we’ve all turned the ball over, we’ve all made mistakes, but you learn from them and own them. I think that’s the key in life,” he said.

For Jervey Limjoco of Mandaluyong, who describes himself as Jason Kidd’s No. 1 fan in the Philippines, Kidd’s leadership and ability to make his teammates better have always set him apart.

“It’s his leadership, how he breaks down the game and makes everyone around him better. His passing, his ability to make a pass that leads to another pass that eventually helps his team score. That’s what really stands out to me about Jason Kidd,” Limjoco shared.

Jackson, meanwhile, looked back on her own extraordinary basketball journey as a three-time WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA champion, Olympic medalist, and Hall of Famer. She also spoke about returning to the sport after taking an eight-year break.

For young athletes hoping to follow a similar path, Jackson emphasized the importance of creating space for basketball in their lives—and, above all, enjoying the game.

“Create a space for them to exist and enjoy and love it,” Jackson shared.

For both Kidd and Jackson, their basketball careers were about more than championships, awards, and trophies. The people they met, the setbacks they overcame, and the experiences they gained along the way became just as important as their accomplishments on the court.

A rare chance to meet basketball icons

Following the Q&A, the event moved into the moment many fans had been eagerly anticipating: the meet-and-greet.

The selected fans had the opportunity to meet Kidd and Jackson up close, receive exclusive posters, and take official photos with the two basketball legends.

Capturing moments worth keeping

The afternoon also explored how technology has changed the way fans experience, share, and preserve their favorite basketball moments.

When asked what he would have liked to capture had today’s smartphone camera technology been available during his playing career, Kidd highlighted how modern technology has made it easier to remain connected with family and friends.

“To capture something, I love that we have it now, to be able to stay in touch with family and friends,” Kidd shared.

Jackson, meanwhile, reflected on how technology has enabled fans to feel closer to the action, even when games are played thousands of miles away.

“You could be playing miles and miles away, but it could be right here, right on your phone. I think that’s pretty crazy,” Jackson said.

That idea came to life during the event as the vivo X300 Ultra was used to capture Kidd and Jackson alongside Filipino fans and livestream the gathering using the smartphone itself.

Fans can rewatch the experience through the vivo Philippines Facebook livestream.

The vivo X300 Ultra features Triple ZEISS Master Lenses and telephoto capabilities that can extend up to 400mm with ZEISS Telephoto Extenders, allowing users to capture distant subjects and preserve moments in greater detail.

The vivo X300 Ultra is available for PHP 109,999 at vivo concept stores nationwide and through the vivo e-store.

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