CEBU, Philippines — For the first time in his storied basketball journey, Derrick Rose made his way to the Queen City of the South.
The ArenaPlus ambassador touched down in Cebu on Sunday, Aug. 23, as the No. 1 PAGCOR-licensed online sportsbook in the Philippines brought the former NBA Most Valuable Player back to the country for a pair of events bringing him closer to Cebuano basketball fans.
Rose’s first Cebu visit will see him headline the Champion’s Circle Appreciation Dinner on Aug. 25 before meeting more fans at SM Seaside City Cebu for “Rose Meets the Queen: Derrick Rose in Cebu” the following day.
“I’m so pumped to finally be here and meet the fans in Cebu over the next few days,” Rose told ArenaPlus just hours after landing in Mactan-Cebu International Airport. “I already felt the warm welcome from the moment I arrived, and I’m excited to experience more of the city.“
Rose is no stranger to the Philippines. His Cebu trip marks his fifth visit to the country and his third as an ArenaPlus ambassador in less than a year—this time taking him beyond Metro Manila to connect with another passionate basketball community.
His first major engagement will be the Champion’s Circle Appreciation Dinner, giving select ArenaPlus VIPs from Cebu, influencers, and members of the media an exclusive opportunity to spend an evening with the basketball icon.
The spotlight shifts to SM Seaside City Cebu the following day, where Rose will take center stage for “Rose Meets the Queen: Derrick Rose in Cebu” and meet more of the supporters who have followed his career from thousands of kilometers away.
“I feel the love, and it’s always special to see how basketball can bring communities together no matter where you are in the world,” Rose said.
For Rose, the trip also offers something new: the chance to discover Cebu for himself and meet fans who have followed the highs, setbacks, and resurgence of his career from afar.
But before discovering more of what the Queen City has in store, Rose had one question for the fans waiting to see him.
“Cebu, are you ready?”
About DigiPlus
DigiPlus Interactive Corp. pioneered digital entertainment in the Philippines. It introduced the leading platforms BingoPlus and ArenaPlus, widely known for their engaging interactive gaming and sports entertainment experiences. DigiPlus also operates GameZone, with more to come. For more information, visit www.digiplus.com.ph.
About ArenaPlus
ArenaPlus is the #1 PAGCOR-licensed online sportsbook in the Philippines, providing a secure and engaging sports betting and streaming experience. Launched in 2023, ArenaPlus features a wide range of local and international sports and continues to expand its presence through key partnerships across major leagues, including the NBA, PBA, and PVL.
ArenaPlus is committed to strengthening the sports community by supporting local athletes, highlighting their dedication and the hard work behind their journeys, and inspiring community pride.
ArenaPlus is a PAGCOR-licensed sportsbook open to players aged 21 and above. Gambling does not guarantee earnings or financial gains — always have a game plan and play within your means. If you’d like tools to manage your play, visit ArenaPlus’s Responsible Gaming page, or contact PAGCOR at (02) 8522-0299 / www.pagcor.ph/regulatory/responsible-gaming.php. Gambling can be addictive — know when to stop.
