Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, assisted by fellow NBA stars, held a basketball clinic for 70 children Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The participants were asked to perform several drills during the closed-door clinic that lasted for about an hour.
It was one of the activities that held up the NBA stars through the early part of the day. A meet-and-greet session followed at the Meralco gym.
So hectic was their schedule, only four players were able to attend the press conference at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.
Bryant, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, Javale Mcgee of the Washington Wizards, Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings, and James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder skipped the presscon to take a much-needed rest before taking on the PBA All-Stars later in the day.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ Derek Fisher, the oldest of the group at 36, paid tribute to the Filipinos’ hospitality.
“I want to thank everyone for the warm welcome. Everyone has been hospitable,” Fisher said.
Rookie Derrick Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves said he’s excited to play.
“This is odd because I’m the one who hasn’t scored a single NBA bucket, but I’m the only one here,” the 20-year-old Williams said.
Williams said he wants to meet eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.
“There have been many people who want to get a picture of us. But I want to be in a picture with him. I am a big fan,” said Williams, the second overall pick in this year’s NBA draft who was first to arrive among the players at the presscon.
The New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul, who joined Williams at the head table, said he plans to return to the country in the future.
“This is my first time in the Philippines. It will definitely not be my last,” Paul said.
Kevin Durant, Harden’s teammate, arrived only Saturday morning from China.
“It took awhile for me to confirm,” said Durant. “But I wanted to try something new. I was excited about the opportunity to play in the Philippines. That’s what convinced me to come.”
Expected to give the spectators a show, Durant and Paul vowed to play at a high level.
“Every time I step on the court, I give my all. There will be no gimmes (tonight),” said Durant, the two-time scoring champion.
“We’re here to give our Filipino fans a great show. But at the end of the day, we’re competitors. That’s why we we’re in the NBA. We’ll definitely try to win,” Paul said.
The NBA stars faced their PBA counterparts last night and will take on the Smart Gilas national team tonight.
Buddies Gabe Norwood and Sol Mercado, who were present at the presscon and were part of the PBA selection, will cherish the moment they had with their NBA idols.
“This is a cool story to tell my son,” said Norwood, who’s expecting his first child soon.
“This is an experience I will never forget,” Mercado said.
Basketball fans started forming queues as early before noon and braved heavy afternoon rains.
The NBA stars will face the Smart-Gilas national team at 1 p.m. Sunday also at the same venue before taking a short trip to the island of Boracay.
They will leave the country Monday evening.
(source: Manila Bulletin)
