All roads lead to the Araneta Coliseum on Friday night (August 27, 7:00 p.m.) for the 2nd NBA Asia Challenge that includes an exhibition game featuring all-time National Basketball Association (NBA) greats, active NBA Development League products, and current and former superstars from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Unlike last year’s format, where the NBA Generations battled an all-PBA selection of past and present legends, the 2010 NBA Asia Challenge, which is organized by Solar Sports, NBA Asia and the PBA, will pit two teams with a mixed lineup of NBA Legends, D-Leaguers and local professionals from the past and present.

Among the American guest players are five men with NBA credentials, including four with All-Star experience.

The four NBA All-Stars are Chris Webber, Gary Payton, Glen Rice and Mitch Richmond. Payton, Rice and Richmond have something in common. The trio donned the Los Angeles Lakers colors at one time or another.

A fifth legitimate NBA veteran is Richie Frahm, who played 13 games with Talk ‘N Text in the PBA in 2002 before the 6-5 undrafted product of Gonzaga University (whose most famous alum is Hall of Famer and legendary Utah Jazz playmaker John Stockton) embarked on a nondescript four-year NBA odyssey (2003-08) that took him to Seattle, Portland, Minnesota, Houston and the LA Clippers.

The 6-5 Frahm, who turned 33 last August 14, also suited up for the Reno Bighorns in the NBA Development League during the 2008-09 season.

Aside from Frahm, other NBADL veterans who will see action Friday night are Darnell Lazare, Mark Tyndale and Chris McCray, all of whom spent time in the D-League this past campaign.

Lazare, a 6-8, 25-year-old forward from Louisiana State University, averaged 10.5 points in 50 games for the Maine Red Claws.

Tyndale, a 6-5, 24-year-old guard out of Temple University, hit at a 17.2-point clip for the Iowa Energy. McCray, a 6-5, 26-year-old guard from Maryland University, normed 12.3 points for the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Founded in 2001, the NBA D-League is the NBA’s official minor league. It has 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA franchises.

Currently, 20 percent of players in the NBA have played in the D-League.

Last season, the Rio Grande Valley (Texas) Vipers blanked the Tulsa 66ers, 2-0, in the best-of-three NBADL Finals behind league Most Valuable Player Michael Harris, who knocked in 24 and 26 scores in the 124-107 and 94-91 victories.

In addition to the exhibition match, the Miami Heat dancers will be on-site to perform and entertain the crowd. Burnie, the Heat mascot, will also perform high-flying dunks.

Among the PBA veterans slated to see action are relics Fortunato (Atoy) Co, Alvin Patrimonio, Venancio (Benjie) Paras, Allan Caidic, Vergel Meneses and Ronnie Magsanoc and current stars Arwind Santos, Dondon Hontiveros, LA Tenorio, Ronald Tubid, Rico Maierhofer and Asi Taulava.

Last year, the NBA Generations registered a 109-86 decision over the PBA All-Stars behind legends Dominique Wilkins, Robert Horry, Tim Hardaway and Vlade Divac.

Wilkins topped all scorers with 28 points. Caidic collected 15 markers on five triples to lead the PBA side.