Kobe Bryant basks in Manila’s love

This appears in the Thursday, July 14, 2011 edition of the Business Mirror.

Kobe Bryant basks in Manila’s love

by rick olivares photos by brosi gonzales

The crowds at Barangay Pinagsama, Taguig ran seven deep despite the sweltering hot day.

For every bus that arrived, carrying it media or guests, the crowds cheered and chanted “Kobe! Kobe!” Pressed against the chain link fence surround the basketball court, policemen and military men joined the host of fans for a glimpse or even a snapshot from the cameras of their mobile phones of the hoops star.

And when the Black Mamba stepped out of a black Ford E150 SUV at the Barangay Pinagsama basketball court that was first put up in 2009 during Bryant’s last visit, for a moment, the Los Angeles Laker great thought he was back at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. “It’s good to be back,” bellowed the four-time NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player. “I definitely love the Philippines.”

Five-time National Basketball Association champion Kobe Bryant blew into town on for an overnight stay in a five-city Asian promotional tour courtesy of corporate sponsor Nike. It was the NBA star’s third visit to Manila and while maddeningly short, he once more left an indelible mark on the fans and media and vice versa with his declaration of love for the Philippines as well as his continuous messages of hard work for those seeking success not just in basketball and other sports but in life.

Bryant, in an hour-long press conference at the Manila Peninsula, answered questions about the NBA lockout to playing for Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics to getting some payback on the Dallas Mavericks for ousting his Lakers in the last NBA playoffs.

“Payback,” tersely said Bryant. “Payback is on my mind. They’re going to feel my suffering.”

Bryant said that while archrival Boston has its Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, putting up a similar wing in LA isn’t as simple as it sounds. “You have to consider many things – chemistry, who is available, talent, finances… it’s not a simple answer.”

But the Black Mamba had good words to say about former teammate Shaquille O’Neal who recently retired from NBA. “He was dominant and one of the best. I certainly look forward to his next career.” O’Neal is reportedly on his way to join the analysts booth on TNT with other retired NBA superstars such as Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller, and Steve Kerr among others.

On the subject of playing on a team of all-stars, Bryant minced no words in playing for the US Olympic Men’s Basketball Team in London. “No doubt about it. I’d play.” Bryant along with then Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James led the “Redeem Team” to the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics against Spain which was led by his Lakers teammate Pau Gasol.

At the Barangay Pinagsama basketball court that has been painted and bedecked in the Lakers’ purple and gold colors, Bryant preached the virtues of patience and hard work while hugging the kids who are a part of Nike’s basketball program. “This is what it’s all about – the fans. And the kids too. They are the future of the game.”

After the Gawad Kalinga visit, Bryant trooped to the Nike Park at the Fort in Bonifacio Global City to meet up with fans before heading out to the Araneta Coliseum for the highlight of his whirlwind visit to Manila.

 

Bryant watched as a selection from Smart Gilas Pilipinas played a 10-minute exhibition match against the UAAP All-Stars, a team composed of players from Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle University, and Far Eastern University.

After the nationals but on a beating on the collegians, 33-24, Bryant decided to suit up; something he has not done since he played three-on-three hoops at the atrium of SM Megamall against then PBA and MBA stars Alvin Teng, Richie Ticzon, and Rommel Adducul among others during his first trip to Manila early in his career. The 2008 Olympian requested for an additional eight minutes of game time as he suited up with the college selection.

Bryant donned the yellow ochre jersey of FEU much to the delight of the crowd that packed the Big Dome.

The Black Mamba backed-college All-Stars came roaring back behind buckets by Ateneo’s Kirk Long and Greg Slaughter, La Salle’s Simon Atkins as well as the Bryant himself. But a blown dunk by Slaughter that could have leveled the match at 41-all with time running down to less than 30 seconds killed the UAAP team’s rally. The nationals escaped with a 45-41 win.

In eight minutes of action, the two-time NBA scoring champion tallied six points, five rebounds, three assists, and two rim rocking slam dunks that had the venerable hoop house rocking.

Bryant seemed surprised about news reports of his playing with a team of NBA All-tars in a pair of exhibition games against Smart Gilas and a Philippine Basketball Association selection team in Manila late this month. “I just read about it. No one has talked to me about it.

The Los Angeles Laker super guard, a sure-fire first ballot Basketball Hall of Famer, departed for Seoul, Korea late last night for the second stop of his Asian tour.

 My media accreditation (above) and post-event with JC, Bianca & Boom.