Updated

Jeremy Lin has easily stolen the spotlight as the Houston Rockets practice for this week's first NBA preseason game against the Indiana Pacers in the basketball-obsessed Philippines.

Lin was mobbed by reporters and photographers on a Manila basketball court on Tuesday, a day after the teams arrived in the Philippine capital.

Lin says he's excited to play "in an electric environment." He says his Taiwanese parents told him good things about the Philippines. He says he was glad to see and feel a warm welcome from people when he strolled in a mall.

He says he's thankful to inspire people, "especially my fellow Asians."