1 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:05,520 Speaker 1: It's hilarious. That's what it's all about. It someone's fun 2 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:11,559 Speaker 1: to experience. I've never seen better fans of my life. 3 00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: Today we're talking about the visiting NBA players who have 4 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: made a difference in the lives of Filipino fans over 5 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 1: the years, and how the Philippines have inspired NBA stars 6 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:26,239 Speaker 1: in return. Welcome to episode four of Hoops Paradise, the 7 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:31,480 Speaker 1: Philippines Love of the game basketball. We're in Archianella, sort 8 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:39,640 Speaker 1: of standing ballible style. All Right, Nico, I hope you're 9 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:42,280 Speaker 1: warmed up, because I'm putting you on the spot right 10 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: off the top today. If I warmed up, I mean 11 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:48,199 Speaker 1: I just woke up and I am only starting to 12 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,199 Speaker 1: drink my coffee because Manilla's thirteen hours out of New 13 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:53,480 Speaker 1: York and this is the only time we can ever 14 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 1: find to record together. Than Yeah, sure, I guess I'm 15 00:00:57,480 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 1: ready to get after it. Okay, that's what I like 16 00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:05,080 Speaker 1: to here. Here's the question. Okay, what's the absolute best 17 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 1: visit by an NBA player to the Philippines that you 18 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:13,680 Speaker 1: can think of? Best? Best? Best is a broad word. 19 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:16,720 Speaker 1: Give me something else to work with. Nope, sorry, this 20 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:20,200 Speaker 1: is uh, this is completely open ended. It can be 21 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 1: an event you hosted, something you attended as a fan, 22 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:26,759 Speaker 1: a former NBA player who joined the PBA in an 23 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 1: exhibition game, even something that you only saw on TV 24 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 1: or heard about after the fact. The only requirement here 25 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 1: is an NBA figure visiting the Philippines. It could be anything, 26 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:40,320 Speaker 1: even the time Evan Fournier came to the country as 27 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 1: a tourist in twenty sixteen shot hoops on a dirt Courton, 28 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 1: Palawan Province. Anything. Okay, well, thanks a lot for making 29 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 1: it easy for me, and even making it even wider 30 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 1: than I thought. I've been blessed to be hosting NBA 31 00:01:56,120 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: players Manila's tours and covering x NBA players who come 32 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 1: to the country for pretty much my entire adult life, right, So, 33 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:06,600 Speaker 1: I mean, it's it's a long list. It's a long list. 34 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 1: I mean, that's why I'm asking you quit stalling. I mean, yes, 35 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 1: you had that charmed life. Now pick something. I mean, okay, 36 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 1: all right, fine, fine, fine, obviously, but many stages of 37 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:22,079 Speaker 1: my life as marked by Kobe Bryant visits are right 38 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:25,640 Speaker 1: up there, from me lining up as a student to 39 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 1: get free tickets and watching him from the very very 40 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:33,240 Speaker 1: top of an arena to the next time he rolled around. 41 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 1: I was posing as a journalist even though I you know, 42 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 1: I really wasn't, kind of like fake credentials and a 43 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:43,200 Speaker 1: camera that didn't have any film on it, just to 44 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 1: get a little closer than you know, eventually to actually 45 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: meeting him and hosting his events and you know, getting 46 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:57,799 Speaker 1: some valuable Kobe time in person. I think that that 47 00:02:57,919 --> 00:03:00,760 Speaker 1: journey of mine, compared to his visits, that's always going 48 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:02,560 Speaker 1: to be the most special to me. Yeah, I mean, 49 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 1: it's hard to compete with Kobe Bryant. I understand. I've 50 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:10,640 Speaker 1: actually didn't ever get a chance to meet Kobe because 51 00:03:10,639 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 1: I was so only hosting in studios and I never 52 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: got the opportunity to cover any of his games on 53 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 1: the sideline. So, um, the fact that you were able 54 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 1: to meet Kobe several times, um, you know, it is 55 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 1: truly amazing. Miss him every day. I still can't believe 56 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 1: he's gone. I met him. I met him one time, 57 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:31,640 Speaker 1: and technically I think stocked him the other times. So UM, 58 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:35,960 Speaker 1: I don't know. Legally, I think I think I shouldn't 59 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 1: have any problems because that's what Filipino fans do, and 60 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:44,240 Speaker 1: Kobe's in the country man, so we just go crazy. Okay, 61 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 1: then we're then we're even. So before we get into 62 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 1: any other specifics, we should probably provide just a rough 63 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 1: breakdown of the basic types of MBA and former NBA 64 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: player visits to the Philippines. You know. The first, which 65 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 1: we spent nearly all of episode three exploring, is when 66 00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:04,240 Speaker 1: an NBA player comes to the country as an import 67 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:07,120 Speaker 1: in the PBA or to play on the national team 68 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:11,040 Speaker 1: as a naturalized Filipino citizen, like Andre Blatch did in 69 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 1: the twenty fourteen and twenty nineteen Feeble World Cups, or 70 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 1: like Jordan Clarkson did over the summer when he joined 71 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:21,760 Speaker 1: Gilis Filipinas for a pair of Feeble World Cup qualifying 72 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:26,239 Speaker 1: games against Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. Right, And although it's 73 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:28,720 Speaker 1: always a big deal when an NBA athlete makes his 74 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 1: way to Manila, the players who decide to extend their 75 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 1: careers in the PBA usually aren't huge stars in the States, 76 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:37,360 Speaker 1: and they tend to lose a little bit of their 77 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:42,160 Speaker 1: mystique once they trade their Indiana Pacers jersey, for example, 78 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:46,159 Speaker 1: for a technicolor red, blue and yellow and green and 79 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:51,279 Speaker 1: purple and magenta rain or Shine Elasta painters PBA uniform 80 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:53,920 Speaker 1: Do I have beef for the Rain or Shine uniforms? Yes, 81 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 1: yes I do. I get it, you're a paint company, 82 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:58,320 Speaker 1: but the jersey doesn't need to have eighteen different colors 83 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:02,680 Speaker 1: on it. Sorry, but you digress. Next, we have the 84 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 1: exhibition games. Active NBA players have only participated in two 85 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:10,400 Speaker 1: leagues sanctioned events in the Philippines over the years. The 86 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 1: first one came in nineteen seventy nine, when a Washington 87 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:17,920 Speaker 1: Bullets team led by Hall of Famer's West Unselled Elvin 88 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:21,960 Speaker 1: Hayes and Bob Dandridge crossed the Pacific to play exhibitions 89 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:25,640 Speaker 1: in China and the Philippines. In Manila, the Bullets, who 90 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,360 Speaker 1: were only a year removed from their nineteen seventy eight 91 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 1: NBA championship season, challenged a selection of PBA All Stars. 92 00:05:33,320 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 1: More than forty years later, the game itself has become 93 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 1: something of an urban legend where much is lost to memory. 94 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:42,640 Speaker 1: Even the players who were on the floor that night 95 00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:46,520 Speaker 1: aren't completely sure what happened. I mean, as far as 96 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:49,200 Speaker 1: we know, there's no remaining video of the full game. 97 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:52,359 Speaker 1: Maybe we'll get lucky and someday someday we'll discover a 98 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 1: dusty old Beta MAX recording in their grandparents attic. But 99 00:05:56,240 --> 00:06:01,039 Speaker 1: until then, the only existing footage comes from a short 100 00:06:01,279 --> 00:06:05,039 Speaker 1: commemorative clip the PBA produced in two thousand and five 101 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:09,520 Speaker 1: when the league was celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. According to 102 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:13,280 Speaker 1: newspaper reports from back then, Washington defeated the PBA squad 103 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:16,159 Speaker 1: one thirty three to one twenty three, kind of close, 104 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:19,000 Speaker 1: and after the game, coach Dick Mata told the press 105 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 1: that good big men will surely beat good little men. 106 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:29,520 Speaker 1: M at least coach Mata said, we were good. It 107 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:32,240 Speaker 1: was a little condescending. The other crazy thing about that 108 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:35,000 Speaker 1: nineteen seventy nine game was a media accounts included a 109 00:06:35,040 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 1: line about some kind of altercation between six foot eleven 110 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 1: inch Washington center Dave Corzine and six foot two Hall 111 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:45,800 Speaker 1: of Fame PBA guard athlete Cole who had the not 112 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:49,880 Speaker 1: at all threatening nickname the fortune Cookie and probably made 113 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: one hundred and seventy pounds soaking wet in those days. 114 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:55,200 Speaker 1: The Fortune Cookie for two charities, he has got a 115 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:58,719 Speaker 1: total of thirty one thirty six points. Now, the words 116 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 1: quote unquote, near fight appeared in one story, But thirty 117 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:05,240 Speaker 1: years later, when a reporter from ESPN asked cuisine and 118 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:08,520 Speaker 1: caught about it, neither could remember a thing because quote 119 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 1: was an all timer. I'm glad I'm still alive if 120 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 1: I fought a seven footer. I don't know if I 121 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 1: want to know the backstory to how he got the 122 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:18,560 Speaker 1: nickname fortune Cookie, so I will continue on here. It 123 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 1: would be another thirty four years before the NBA brought 124 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 1: another game with active players back to Manila, when the 125 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:28,080 Speaker 1: Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers touched down for a twenty 126 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 1: thirteen preseason game at the New Law of Asia Arena. 127 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 1: By then, basketball had truly become a global sport, and 128 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 1: the NBA was already two decades into late Commissioner David 129 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 1: Stern's project of bringing NBA basketball the countries all across 130 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:45,680 Speaker 1: the world. The league first held games outside of the 131 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 1: US in Canada nineteen eighty eight, and by twenty thirteen, 132 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 1: one hundred and thirty eight preseason and regular season games 133 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:55,120 Speaker 1: had been played in nineteen countries. Why did it take 134 00:07:55,160 --> 00:07:57,440 Speaker 1: so long for the Philippines to make that list, Nigo, 135 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:00,920 Speaker 1: It definitely wasn't for lack of interest, not from the 136 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: NBA and definitely not from Filipino fans. Until twenty twelve, 137 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 1: the issue was infrastructure. Since it opened in nineteen seventy five, 138 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 1: the country's premier basketball venue had been the Aranata Coliseum, 139 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,920 Speaker 1: a historic site, asha's first air conditioned arena and the 140 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:19,400 Speaker 1: host of one of the most famous heavyweight boxing matches 141 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 1: of all time, the Thrilla in Manila between Muhammad Ali 142 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 1: and Joe Frazier. To this day, the Big Dome, as 143 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 1: we like to call it, remains the most common host 144 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 1: of PBA games and during PBA rivalry games and college 145 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:35,120 Speaker 1: hoops grudge matches, is probably one of the most electric 146 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 1: basketball atmospheres on the planet. But the place it's a 147 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:41,959 Speaker 1: little long in the tooth, and because of its age, 148 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,959 Speaker 1: it wasn't considered quite up to modern and bay standards. 149 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 1: That's where the Mall of Asia Arena comes in. When 150 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:51,320 Speaker 1: developers unveiled the new venue in twenty twelve, they made 151 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: sure it included all the features required for an NBA visit, 152 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:58,200 Speaker 1: and once MOA was open for business, the league wasted 153 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 1: no time in arranging the first b A game ever 154 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 1: played on Philippine soil, taking a three going inside hard 155 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:07,559 Speaker 1: to strong drives to the whole from James Harden. The 156 00:09:07,640 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 1: keyword there is strong. You know, his body creates a 157 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:13,800 Speaker 1: little space. After that contact with George gets to the rim. 158 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:16,800 Speaker 1: So we're people doing backflips to see James Harden and 159 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: Paul George play back. Then I think it was something 160 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:22,520 Speaker 1: much much deeper than that. This is a country that's 161 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:27,080 Speaker 1: overflowing with basketball enthusiasm twenty four seven, three sixty five. 162 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 1: So the feeling that I remember around the game and 163 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 1: throughout Metro Manila that week wasn't so much range we 164 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 1: get to see James Harden and Paul George put on 165 00:09:35,160 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 1: a show. It was more of the pride that the 166 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:40,840 Speaker 1: Philippine basketball world could take in that moment, we have 167 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 1: arrived in the league that the rest of the world 168 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:47,440 Speaker 1: looks up to. Was acknowledging it. Ma boo Hi, you 169 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:52,160 Speaker 1: hear that David stern On behalf of these two great teams, 170 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:56,160 Speaker 1: the Houston Rockets and the Indiana Pacers. It is my 171 00:09:56,440 --> 00:09:59,839 Speaker 1: great honor to say to you, we are the light 172 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:04,440 Speaker 1: to be here. We thank you for your hospitality, and 173 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 1: we look forward to coming back enjoy the game. I 174 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:12,440 Speaker 1: guarantee you that brought us here the eyes of fans. 175 00:10:12,559 --> 00:10:16,439 Speaker 1: Here by fans, I meant me. The last type of 176 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:19,080 Speaker 1: NBA player we need to cover is the offseason tour. 177 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:21,920 Speaker 1: In some cases, the league will send a handful of 178 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:24,840 Speaker 1: up and coming players over to visit junior NBA basketball 179 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:27,600 Speaker 1: camps and spend a day or two helping local charities 180 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 1: through the NBA Cares program. Other times, you'll see all 181 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:33,520 Speaker 1: stars in the league's biggest names popping in to promote 182 00:10:33,559 --> 00:10:36,600 Speaker 1: their latest signature shoes. And that's when you reach out 183 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 1: to host extraordinaire Nico Ramos to MC your event, Nike, 184 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:47,080 Speaker 1: Jordan Adidas, Antha Leaning, whoever it is, Yeah, my calling card, 185 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:49,600 Speaker 1: you know my number. I gotta be honest here, though. 186 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:52,160 Speaker 1: I've hosted dozens of these events over the years, and 187 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 1: it is work, regardless of how fun it looks. The 188 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:01,080 Speaker 1: same way, you have to be cast the reporter and 189 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: not Cassidy, the lifelong NBA fan. When you're interviewing Steve 190 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:07,319 Speaker 1: Kerr at the start of the fourth quarter, I can't 191 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 1: be phased by the fact that I'm on stage doing 192 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:12,959 Speaker 1: a Q and A with Lebron. I'm throwing that out there, 193 00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:15,599 Speaker 1: by the way, same job, because Lebron's a guy i 194 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:17,360 Speaker 1: haven't been on stage doing a Q and A with 195 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:22,040 Speaker 1: so manifesting that one. Of course, of course I have 196 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:24,640 Speaker 1: to keep it professional. And yes, I'm more than a 197 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 1: little bit spoiled because I've been up close and personal 198 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:31,160 Speaker 1: with so many current informer NBA grates that I you know, 199 00:11:32,120 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 1: I don't pinch myself and ask is this real? But 200 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 1: the one thing that will never ever ever get old 201 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 1: about hosting events with NBA players when they visit Manila 202 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: is seeing how genuinely touched they are by the country's 203 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:47,160 Speaker 1: passion for the sport. Even though NBA players are very 204 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 1: much not just like us, one thing they share with 205 00:11:50,760 --> 00:11:54,280 Speaker 1: all basketball fans is that love of the game. They've 206 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 1: devoted their lives to the sport, and when they come 207 00:11:56,559 --> 00:11:58,559 Speaker 1: to Manila and meet kids on the other side of 208 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:01,079 Speaker 1: the world who've studied and learned to imitate their moves, 209 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:04,320 Speaker 1: when they drive by streetside courts and see guys battling 210 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:08,080 Speaker 1: for rebounds in their bare feet, that love is infectious. 211 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:10,760 Speaker 1: To see not only how they inspire us, but we 212 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 1: also inspire them. That's the part that sticks with you, 213 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 1: and you can really hear the wonder and players' voices 214 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:20,079 Speaker 1: when they're talking about their experiences in the Philippines. Listen 215 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,880 Speaker 1: to some of these. We are privilely travel with us today. 216 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:27,679 Speaker 1: One of the legitimate superstars of the NBA, a man 217 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 1: who's incredible hardcourt talent is perhaps matched only by his 218 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 1: decency and his integrity and style of the hardcourt, mister 219 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:40,319 Speaker 1: Grant Hill of the Detroit Pistess. Grant, You've obviously had 220 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:43,440 Speaker 1: a great welcome here. Did this surprise you in any way? Yes, 221 00:12:43,559 --> 00:12:46,920 Speaker 1: it definitely did surprise me. And you fly halfway around 222 00:12:46,920 --> 00:12:50,680 Speaker 1: the world and the sea fans, the sea smiles on 223 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 1: the faces, see people cheering. I never never thought this 224 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:57,199 Speaker 1: would happen, and never in my wildest imagination, and it 225 00:12:57,240 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: makes makes me feel really good, It really does. Chandler 226 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:03,240 Speaker 1: Parsons in twenty thirteen couldn't believe that people were asking 227 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:06,839 Speaker 1: for his dad's autographs. It's hilarious, That's what it's all about. 228 00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 1: It's so much fun to come out here experience all this. 229 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:12,320 Speaker 1: And I've never seen better fans in my life than 230 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:13,959 Speaker 1: here in the Philippines. So you other than you see 231 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:16,560 Speaker 1: your father's any more autographs in here? Yeah, here's a 232 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:19,280 Speaker 1: rock star. Well, there's no talent when they see it 233 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 1: that there's a whole bunch of talent over though. I 234 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:26,440 Speaker 1: love it. Derrick Rose just lights up talking about Filipino fans. 235 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:30,160 Speaker 1: Man the Philippines is like it's almost like home to me. 236 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:33,240 Speaker 1: I remember going there just by myself with my agency, 237 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:35,240 Speaker 1: and they showed me a lot of a lot of 238 00:13:35,240 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 1: love over there. They love basketball, they love the NBA. 239 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 1: It's like a culture over there, So you gotta show 240 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:45,880 Speaker 1: nothing but respect. Every event I had over there, they 241 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 1: came out and they support it. So I'll tell Philippine fans, 242 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:52,720 Speaker 1: I love you all and thanks for the support. And 243 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:55,920 Speaker 1: this is about as excited as you'll ever hear Robin 244 00:13:56,000 --> 00:14:00,079 Speaker 1: Lopez outside of you know, a Disney World resort. I 245 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:03,920 Speaker 1: went over and we love everything about love the food, 246 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:07,040 Speaker 1: we love the people are so passionate about basketball over there. 247 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 1: We feel we feel like rock stars. But one NBA 248 00:14:10,559 --> 00:14:13,480 Speaker 1: player rises above the rest when we think about the 249 00:14:13,559 --> 00:14:16,599 Speaker 1: impact he had on the Philippines, both at an individual 250 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 1: level interacting with fans one on one and as a 251 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 1: nation of basketball lovers. His Mamba mentality resonated with Filipino fans, 252 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 1: and he developed meaningful relationships on his repeated trips at 253 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 1: the Philippines. When we come back, we're getting a lesson 254 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 1: on bakiki sama from the Black Mamma. Gather around, class, 255 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:53,280 Speaker 1: gather around. It's time for a weekly the gal lesson. Okay, teach, 256 00:14:53,560 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 1: I really enjoy learning more about the language and specifically 257 00:14:57,360 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 1: how these words relate to Philippine basketball. But yourself, ale, 258 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:04,440 Speaker 1: full of yourself right now, bring it down just like 259 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:07,760 Speaker 1: a notch, because the only lesson I truly ever needed 260 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:10,800 Speaker 1: to learn came from you know that old Michael Jordan 261 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:13,760 Speaker 1: commercial where he plays one on one against his younger self. 262 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:17,960 Speaker 1: All right, Okay, consider me humbled, consider me taking it 263 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 1: down a notch. But the term I want to introduce 264 00:15:20,520 --> 00:15:24,240 Speaker 1: this week isn't just specific to basketball. It's something that 265 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:27,720 Speaker 1: refers to one of the strongest and most cherished pieces 266 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,680 Speaker 1: of Philippine culture. You ready for it? Yes, here it 267 00:15:30,760 --> 00:15:35,520 Speaker 1: is bakiki sama. There isn't a perfect word for word 268 00:15:35,520 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 1: translation in English, but it means something like the art 269 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:42,000 Speaker 1: of getting along well with others. You express it in 270 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:45,320 Speaker 1: different ways. Plain old kindness is always a good start, 271 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 1: but it also includes putting others at ease, making sure 272 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:52,880 Speaker 1: people feel included, sometimes even performing exaggerated acts of humility 273 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:57,160 Speaker 1: or generosity to demonstrate you aren't stuck up or a snob. 274 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:03,480 Speaker 1: Filipino's renowned and sometimes you know Admittedly overwhelming hospitality stems 275 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:06,600 Speaker 1: from this virtue, the way that when you visit someone's 276 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:09,000 Speaker 1: home for the first time, they'll insist on feeding you 277 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 1: no matter when you last aid. And if you want 278 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:15,240 Speaker 1: to make good brakisama, you better eat it in return. 279 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:18,520 Speaker 1: Even in the world of professional basketball, here you see 280 00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:22,360 Speaker 1: pakikisama in action. It's custom here for PBA players to 281 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:26,440 Speaker 1: spend time after practice and after games greeting supporters, posing 282 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:29,440 Speaker 1: for selfies, and sharing a few moments of real connection 283 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:32,600 Speaker 1: with fans. And the expectation is not just that a 284 00:16:32,680 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 1: player will stop and sign a couple of autographs. No, 285 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 1: it's that he'll make a real effort to share the 286 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 1: moment and grant a simple request for each fan who's 287 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:44,480 Speaker 1: taken the trouble to stand and wait for him. Robert Jaworski, 288 00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 1: probably the most beloved PBA player in history and a 289 00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:51,640 Speaker 1: former senator as well here in the Philippines, was legendary 290 00:16:51,720 --> 00:16:54,800 Speaker 1: for spending hours in the parking lot after every practice 291 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:58,480 Speaker 1: and after every game, showing fans, how dearly, he appreciated 292 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 1: their support and being a basketball player might require more 293 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 1: kissing babies than campaigning for office, and as a result, 294 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 1: PIANOI pro bowlers have a natural common touch and every 295 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:16,680 Speaker 1: man appeal. They get it. That's Barkikisama for you. Bakikisama, 296 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:20,760 Speaker 1: well done. I do it, hey, that is perfect on 297 00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:24,120 Speaker 1: the first try. And you just you just being nice 298 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:25,919 Speaker 1: now because I said, you're being full of yourself. But 299 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:30,879 Speaker 1: you know, see that's bika for you. I see you know, 300 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:33,480 Speaker 1: world ya see Okay? And let me guess there have 301 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:36,440 Speaker 1: been one or two NBA players to visit Manila over 302 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:39,840 Speaker 1: the years who were naturals at this one in particular, 303 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:45,680 Speaker 1: Mamba Kobe. Magical Kobe Bryant visited the Philippines more times 304 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 1: than any other NBA player than I can think of 305 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:51,200 Speaker 1: over the past twenty five years, Beginning the summer after 306 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:53,160 Speaker 1: his rookie year when he was a nineteen year old 307 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:56,199 Speaker 1: NBA baby, traveling with his mom and his cousin, he 308 00:17:56,320 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 1: made six total trips to Manila and had promised to 309 00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:03,040 Speaker 1: keep return long after his retirement. Prior to the tragic 310 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:07,119 Speaker 1: January twenty twenty helicopter crash that took his life along 311 00:18:07,119 --> 00:18:09,359 Speaker 1: with that of his thirteen year old daughter Gianna and 312 00:18:09,480 --> 00:18:12,880 Speaker 1: seven other passengers. He came to promote his classic Adidas 313 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:15,679 Speaker 1: kicks at the beginning of his career. Later on, he 314 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:18,400 Speaker 1: came to promote his Nike line. He came to play 315 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:21,480 Speaker 1: exhibition games. Sometimes it seemed like he was just searching 316 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:24,879 Speaker 1: for any kind of offseason excuse to fly out to Manila, 317 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:27,280 Speaker 1: even if it meant acting as the pitchman for a 318 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:30,840 Speaker 1: Chinese smartphone brand as a case for his twenty thirteen 319 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:34,000 Speaker 1: shore And every time he showed up here he seemed 320 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:37,680 Speaker 1: to have embraced some new aspect of Philippine culture. Anuta 321 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:41,520 Speaker 1: galag phrase that he'd taken time to learn with legit 322 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:47,200 Speaker 1: good Cassidy Hillworth level pronunciation before addressing fans a new 323 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:49,680 Speaker 1: Filipino food he wanted to try for the first time. 324 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:52,679 Speaker 1: He was open to just about anything, it seemed, and 325 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:54,960 Speaker 1: he looked like he was having the time of his life, 326 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:59,000 Speaker 1: jumping into college exhibition games and basketball clinics at small 327 00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:02,880 Speaker 1: outdoor jim around Metro Manella. I can see that even 328 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:06,600 Speaker 1: in the States, he always loved to entertain international media 329 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:10,880 Speaker 1: by answering their questions in Italian or Spanish, or rattling 330 00:19:10,920 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 1: off some of the Mandarin he'd learned for the Chinese press. 331 00:19:14,359 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 1: That's just his natural pikisama. He had this enthusiasm around 332 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:21,440 Speaker 1: fans that you just couldn't fake, And even though he 333 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 1: was always obvious that he enjoyed the adoration, he wasn't 334 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:27,560 Speaker 1: afraid to tell us and show us that he loved 335 00:19:27,640 --> 00:19:33,040 Speaker 1: us back. I enjoy sharing the game of basketball. Of 336 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 1: all the places that I've traveled, is so much passing 337 00:19:35,960 --> 00:19:38,480 Speaker 1: and enthusiasm for the game. So that's why I love 338 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 1: coming back. And at least for his connection with Filipino fans, 339 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:44,480 Speaker 1: it didn't hurt that Kobe played his entire Hall of 340 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:47,480 Speaker 1: Fame career and won all five of his NBA titles 341 00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 1: with the Lakers. Since Los Angeles and Southern California are 342 00:19:51,119 --> 00:19:54,840 Speaker 1: home to the largest concentration of Filipinos anywhere outside of 343 00:19:54,840 --> 00:19:58,439 Speaker 1: the Philippines, just about everyone has a Laker fan in 344 00:19:58,480 --> 00:20:01,520 Speaker 1: their life and her friend and relatives in SoCal have 345 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 1: managed to convert an awful lot of us. So you 346 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:08,719 Speaker 1: said he came to Manila six times, which one stands 347 00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:12,080 Speaker 1: out the most? Definitely not the one where I was 348 00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:18,360 Speaker 1: a borderline criminal pretending to be an actual journalist when 349 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:21,600 Speaker 1: I wasn't credential for that event because I wasn't an 350 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 1: actual journalist yet. The moments the trip that we actually 351 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:28,480 Speaker 1: met and you know, we got to share time together, 352 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 1: that will always be special. But the first time he 353 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:33,000 Speaker 1: came over here and I was at the top of 354 00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:37,160 Speaker 1: the bleachers watching him from afar, just like as a fan, 355 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:40,960 Speaker 1: I think those two are tied for the most special 356 00:20:41,520 --> 00:20:44,480 Speaker 1: Kobe moments in Manila for me. And even though I 357 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:46,400 Speaker 1: was just a kid when Kobe made that first trip 358 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:49,800 Speaker 1: to the country, that one was clearly something special. There's 359 00:20:49,840 --> 00:20:53,640 Speaker 1: some clips of that trip still floating around YouTube. Goodness, 360 00:20:53,640 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 1: look at how young he is there. But also you 361 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:58,760 Speaker 1: see that playful nature that Kobe learned to be a 362 00:20:58,760 --> 00:21:00,960 Speaker 1: little bit more guarded about as he got older and 363 00:21:01,040 --> 00:21:05,360 Speaker 1: started to craft the whole mystique around Momba mentality. Back then, 364 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:09,119 Speaker 1: he wasn't about a philosophy around maniacally driven hard work 365 00:21:09,440 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 1: and his extreme competitive nature. No, he was a nineteen 366 00:21:13,119 --> 00:21:16,480 Speaker 1: year old kid rocking a baron Ka gallo ground Manila 367 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:20,720 Speaker 1: with crazy confidence, posting up then President of the Philippines, 368 00:21:20,760 --> 00:21:23,720 Speaker 1: Joseph estrada during a photo op, but our version of 369 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:27,080 Speaker 1: the White House and breaking out his entire arsenal of 370 00:21:27,280 --> 00:21:30,639 Speaker 1: isolation moves and a half court three on three exhibitions 371 00:21:30,680 --> 00:21:33,040 Speaker 1: set up at a mall atrium. The guys he was 372 00:21:33,040 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 1: getting all those buckets against, they're well known coaches and players, 373 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:40,040 Speaker 1: some of whom had impressive PBA careers of their own. 374 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:43,040 Speaker 1: But to this day they'll still tell you that Kobe 375 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:46,119 Speaker 1: Bryant dribbling the ball between their legs was one of 376 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:50,080 Speaker 1: their greatest basketball memories. And then just look at this 377 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:53,040 Speaker 1: Kobe being brave enough to try that. The nick ling 378 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:56,600 Speaker 1: a traditional folk dance that asks its performers to step 379 00:21:57,000 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 1: tiptoe and hop between a pair of bamboo pole. The 380 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 1: two other performers are rhythmically smacking against the floor and 381 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:07,920 Speaker 1: then against each other, usually ethnically. First timer will get 382 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:10,640 Speaker 1: his or her foot caught between the bamboo a couple 383 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:12,680 Speaker 1: of times before they get the hang of it. But 384 00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:17,280 Speaker 1: this goes without saying, but there wasn't much usual about 385 00:22:17,359 --> 00:22:21,320 Speaker 1: Kobe Bean Bryant, I mean just awesome. You could see 386 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:26,680 Speaker 1: no fear, the focus, the mama mentality and everything he did. 387 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:30,960 Speaker 1: How do you think he developed the footwork. I know exactly. 388 00:22:31,280 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 1: You're welcome, Kobe, right, You're welcome Kobe. So I guess 389 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:39,119 Speaker 1: the only question left is whether you think another NBA 390 00:22:39,200 --> 00:22:42,160 Speaker 1: star might eventually find a similar bond to the one 391 00:22:42,240 --> 00:22:46,000 Speaker 1: Kobe had with the Philippines. You know, the King Lebron James, 392 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 1: He's not far off. That's the sound of Lebron dunking 393 00:22:54,000 --> 00:23:01,200 Speaker 1: in the Pact Mall of Asia Arina. He's already traveled 394 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:04,119 Speaker 1: to the country three times. He has a preserved print 395 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:06,960 Speaker 1: of his hand at the tenement court, and you know, 396 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:09,840 Speaker 1: he's reaching out to Filipino fans more and more through 397 00:23:10,119 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 1: something that I've been lucky enough to have had a 398 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:16,840 Speaker 1: small hand in, working with and collaborations with local brands 399 00:23:16,920 --> 00:23:20,320 Speaker 1: like Titan to create new versions of his Lebrons with 400 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:24,119 Speaker 1: Philippine inspired colorways and design elements. It's different from the 401 00:23:24,160 --> 00:23:26,680 Speaker 1: way Kobe showed us that he cared with his enormous 402 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:30,280 Speaker 1: personality and mega watch charm, but that attention to detail 403 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:33,639 Speaker 1: and that desire to pay tribute to the Philippines Basketball 404 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:36,959 Speaker 1: love affair, it hits the same spot right in the heart. 405 00:23:37,880 --> 00:23:41,520 Speaker 1: Coming up next, we're talking to Cattan, also known as 406 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:45,040 Speaker 1: the One Armed Mamba. She's just one example the impact 407 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:48,240 Speaker 1: Kobe had during his visits the Philippaines, and I can't 408 00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:58,320 Speaker 1: wait for you to hear her story. So one more 409 00:23:58,359 --> 00:24:01,080 Speaker 1: thing about that trip Kobe Bryan made to the Philippines 410 00:24:01,119 --> 00:24:03,919 Speaker 1: in nineteen ninety eight, that also happened to be the 411 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:06,239 Speaker 1: first chance Kobe got to meet a young fan who 412 00:24:06,320 --> 00:24:09,360 Speaker 1: was going through an incredibly difficult time who would, over 413 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:12,199 Speaker 1: the years, with help from the inspirations she found in 414 00:24:12,280 --> 00:24:16,159 Speaker 1: Kobe's game and in Mamba mentality, go on to become 415 00:24:16,280 --> 00:24:20,199 Speaker 1: a Philippine basketball icon in her own right, and someone 416 00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:23,960 Speaker 1: whose story has the power to spread that inspiration even further. 417 00:24:24,400 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 1: Filipinos and Kobe we do share the same passion for 418 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:31,879 Speaker 1: the sport, for the game, for basketball. So I guess 419 00:24:31,960 --> 00:24:37,959 Speaker 1: that's one thing that makes us one. Meet cattan Aka, 420 00:24:38,119 --> 00:24:42,000 Speaker 1: the One Armed Mamba. When I was ten years old, 421 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:46,360 Speaker 1: when I had my accident in nineteen ninety six, two 422 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:49,600 Speaker 1: years before Kobe's first trip to Manila, she boarded a 423 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:53,240 Speaker 1: roller coaster at her grade school's annual carnival, and moments 424 00:24:53,280 --> 00:24:57,440 Speaker 1: after the ride began, the coaster derailed. One student died 425 00:24:57,520 --> 00:25:00,920 Speaker 1: in the accident. Several suffered grave injuries and had to 426 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:04,159 Speaker 1: be rushed to the hospital. Kat lost her arm in 427 00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:07,240 Speaker 1: the collapse. And what I was recovering in the hospital, 428 00:25:08,160 --> 00:25:12,359 Speaker 1: I was watching his game, and back then he wasn't 429 00:25:12,359 --> 00:25:16,120 Speaker 1: really just you know, it wasn't like the superstar that 430 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:20,720 Speaker 1: he was. But you know, there's something about him that 431 00:25:20,920 --> 00:25:24,840 Speaker 1: strike me. Two years later, Kat, an avid basketball fan, 432 00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:27,600 Speaker 1: was invited to meet Kobe Bryant, the nineteen year old 433 00:25:27,720 --> 00:25:31,240 Speaker 1: NBA prodigy making his first ever visit to the Philippines. 434 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:34,640 Speaker 1: They took a picture together. Kobe called her by a nickname, 435 00:25:35,080 --> 00:25:37,960 Speaker 1: Cat Cat, and the rest of the story is hers 436 00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:40,920 Speaker 1: to tell. When I heard that he was visiting here 437 00:25:40,920 --> 00:25:43,600 Speaker 1: in the Philippines, you know, I asked my cousin, who 438 00:25:43,680 --> 00:25:47,040 Speaker 1: was working in the place where he was gonna do 439 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:50,600 Speaker 1: is his event? And you know, I was just there 440 00:25:50,680 --> 00:25:53,560 Speaker 1: to just a spectator. I was just so happy to 441 00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:57,119 Speaker 1: see him play with the kids. And by the time 442 00:25:57,200 --> 00:26:00,239 Speaker 1: that you know, everyone is going home, I was. I 443 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:02,879 Speaker 1: was ready to go home. And one of the writers 444 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:07,159 Speaker 1: or journalists of a newspaper recognized me because I was 445 00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:12,760 Speaker 1: already playing varsity basketball at that time, and he recognized 446 00:26:12,800 --> 00:26:15,560 Speaker 1: me and asked me like or the one who like 447 00:26:15,680 --> 00:26:19,840 Speaker 1: schoolby and I was like, yeah, I'm his friend, and 448 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:23,080 Speaker 1: you know, I got a free pass to meet him 449 00:26:23,320 --> 00:26:26,359 Speaker 1: and had lunch with him. And that was the first 450 00:26:26,359 --> 00:26:29,520 Speaker 1: time I you know, I was beside him and talked 451 00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:33,040 Speaker 1: to him and it was amazing. It was the first 452 00:26:33,040 --> 00:26:37,280 Speaker 1: It was our first meeting. Yeah, you had lunch with him, Yeah, 453 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:40,280 Speaker 1: but I wasn't able to eat. I was like, just 454 00:26:40,359 --> 00:26:45,880 Speaker 1: like next, Yeah, Kobe had lunch and I was just 455 00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:48,239 Speaker 1: right beside him. I was just like looking at him 456 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:51,720 Speaker 1: while he was talking to me, and I was like yeah, yeah. 457 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:55,800 Speaker 1: I was just like, I was what did he eat? 458 00:26:55,920 --> 00:26:58,920 Speaker 1: I need to know the details of this unic this 459 00:26:59,160 --> 00:27:02,720 Speaker 1: lunch or city next to Kobe Bryant. He's eating what 460 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:07,399 Speaker 1: you're not eating? What? Oh? Yeah? Definitely there was a rise. 461 00:27:07,720 --> 00:27:11,400 Speaker 1: Never really I had a quoto of it. I don't 462 00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:15,359 Speaker 1: remember what the dish was, but definitely there was a 463 00:27:15,480 --> 00:27:18,480 Speaker 1: rise and some meat of some sorts. I don't know. 464 00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:21,720 Speaker 1: I don't remember eat with his hands though, because that's 465 00:27:21,760 --> 00:27:27,359 Speaker 1: like the true no, no, come on Kobe. That was 466 00:27:27,400 --> 00:27:30,439 Speaker 1: his first visit, but by visit number seventeen, Kobe was 467 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:32,639 Speaker 1: full on eating with his hands off off of a 468 00:27:32,680 --> 00:27:36,920 Speaker 1: Banana LEAs probably probably the rest of his stay here. 469 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:38,920 Speaker 1: He was able to try it. But at that time, 470 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:42,000 Speaker 1: who was like he was really it was also like 471 00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:44,399 Speaker 1: just talking to me. And I think that was the 472 00:27:44,520 --> 00:27:48,240 Speaker 1: first time because that was the first time I met him. 473 00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:51,239 Speaker 1: I didn't know like how he was with with his 474 00:27:51,320 --> 00:27:55,080 Speaker 1: fans or or like you know, with with others, because 475 00:27:55,080 --> 00:27:58,439 Speaker 1: he's like, he's like Kobe, He's I mean, that's the 476 00:27:58,560 --> 00:28:02,960 Speaker 1: start of his career, of his rising career. And he 477 00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:08,720 Speaker 1: really wasn'to like talking to you and he didn't care 478 00:28:08,840 --> 00:28:12,720 Speaker 1: like who you are. He was just like, oh, I 479 00:28:12,840 --> 00:28:16,760 Speaker 1: want to know what you want or what you're into, 480 00:28:16,840 --> 00:28:21,440 Speaker 1: and and he really just listens. He's into the conversation. 481 00:28:22,200 --> 00:28:24,680 Speaker 1: I mean, he's just not doing it just because he's 482 00:28:24,760 --> 00:28:28,959 Speaker 1: like Kobe Bryant and he knows that you are his fant. 483 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:31,840 Speaker 1: Kobe's friendship might have ended there, but they met a 484 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:34,920 Speaker 1: second time. The second time when he had his visit here, 485 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:38,480 Speaker 1: also when he had an event, and I was able 486 00:28:38,520 --> 00:28:41,880 Speaker 1: to show our first photo to him at the second 487 00:28:41,880 --> 00:28:45,840 Speaker 1: time we met, and the first time, he was still 488 00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:50,520 Speaker 1: the frobe and he still had the yeah, he still 489 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:56,480 Speaker 1: had his afro hair. And when he saw his photos like, oh, 490 00:28:56,480 --> 00:29:00,480 Speaker 1: oh my god, look at that hair. What what would like? 491 00:29:00,760 --> 00:29:03,720 Speaker 1: And they met again in twenty sixteen. It was a 492 00:29:03,800 --> 00:29:09,440 Speaker 1: t day camp and each day players get cut and 493 00:29:09,720 --> 00:29:12,280 Speaker 1: I was able to make it to the final twenty 494 00:29:12,280 --> 00:29:15,400 Speaker 1: four and I was like, yeah, it was amazing, and 495 00:29:15,920 --> 00:29:21,440 Speaker 1: you know, that moment I realized like how special it was. 496 00:29:21,840 --> 00:29:25,880 Speaker 1: And I was around thirty at that time, and the 497 00:29:26,280 --> 00:29:29,680 Speaker 1: players that I was with, they're in like their high 498 00:29:29,720 --> 00:29:35,800 Speaker 1: school years, college years, They're like, you know, playing competitively, 499 00:29:35,880 --> 00:29:38,520 Speaker 1: and I was just like, you know, I was still 500 00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:41,640 Speaker 1: playing basketball, but just for fun. I was like, you know, 501 00:29:42,680 --> 00:29:46,000 Speaker 1: I was already working at that time, and I was 502 00:29:46,040 --> 00:29:51,680 Speaker 1: like with this young kids and that camp we were 503 00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:55,880 Speaker 1: like the final twenty four. During the event, while we 504 00:29:55,880 --> 00:29:59,440 Speaker 1: were having our breaks, I bravely came up to him 505 00:29:59,520 --> 00:30:02,160 Speaker 1: and I was like, Hey, do you remember me. I 506 00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:05,720 Speaker 1: was like, oh my god, what am I doing? And 507 00:30:05,880 --> 00:30:08,800 Speaker 1: he was like dribbling, dribbling the balls, like yeah, of 508 00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:10,800 Speaker 1: course I remember you. And I was like when I 509 00:30:10,880 --> 00:30:12,880 Speaker 1: when I walked away, I was like, oh, of course not. 510 00:30:13,160 --> 00:30:18,240 Speaker 1: You don't remember me. And I think there's just something 511 00:30:18,280 --> 00:30:20,600 Speaker 1: at the back of my head like I'm gonna I'm 512 00:30:20,600 --> 00:30:23,960 Speaker 1: gonna make this this event memorable. I'm gonna make you 513 00:30:24,120 --> 00:30:45,479 Speaker 1: remember me everybody. At the end of the event, Kobe 514 00:30:45,520 --> 00:30:57,160 Speaker 1: had a challenge for the camp. His challenge was the 515 00:30:57,240 --> 00:31:00,640 Speaker 1: last part of the event and everyone is like raising 516 00:31:00,720 --> 00:31:04,720 Speaker 1: her head. Kat raised her hand and Kobe picked her. 517 00:31:09,080 --> 00:31:15,680 Speaker 1: She made the shot. Nothing but net, I just did 518 00:31:15,720 --> 00:31:17,719 Speaker 1: what I what I had to do. I just I 519 00:31:17,800 --> 00:31:21,760 Speaker 1: just had my weight And yeah, you know it happened. 520 00:31:22,920 --> 00:31:27,080 Speaker 1: You have the nickname of One Armed Mamba. How how 521 00:31:27,080 --> 00:31:30,600 Speaker 1: did that come about? What's the story behind you getting 522 00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:35,640 Speaker 1: the nickname One Armed Mamba? And who gave it to you? Yeah? 523 00:31:36,760 --> 00:31:43,960 Speaker 1: First I gave it to myself. No, I mean, um, 524 00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:48,479 Speaker 1: it started to actually UM before I kind of had 525 00:31:48,560 --> 00:31:53,120 Speaker 1: that validated, there was this UM event. It was. It 526 00:31:53,160 --> 00:31:56,120 Speaker 1: was a Nike event at that time, I was able to, 527 00:31:56,360 --> 00:32:00,240 Speaker 1: you know, join that and I registered and they were like, okay, 528 00:32:00,280 --> 00:32:02,520 Speaker 1: you can tag yourself. You can tag your heat name 529 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:05,000 Speaker 1: and then all and then so you can register. So 530 00:32:05,040 --> 00:32:07,880 Speaker 1: I was like, okay, my name is like it's not 531 00:32:08,080 --> 00:32:11,480 Speaker 1: that interesting, and I was like, okay, I'm gonna I'm 532 00:32:11,480 --> 00:32:14,440 Speaker 1: gonna make it interesting. So I changed it to that, 533 00:32:14,680 --> 00:32:17,840 Speaker 1: and then you know, I registered and I was like, Okay, 534 00:32:18,040 --> 00:32:21,240 Speaker 1: by the start of the event until the last day 535 00:32:21,240 --> 00:32:24,960 Speaker 1: of the event, I use that name, and you know, 536 00:32:25,080 --> 00:32:28,640 Speaker 1: little did I know that after the event that would 537 00:32:28,720 --> 00:32:33,200 Speaker 1: change my life entirely. That shot at the twenty sixteen 538 00:32:33,320 --> 00:32:36,520 Speaker 1: practice where Kobe challenged someone to make a three pointer 539 00:32:36,680 --> 00:32:39,880 Speaker 1: or doom the rest of the camp to run validated 540 00:32:39,920 --> 00:32:43,480 Speaker 1: the nickname for her. Momba for me is not really 541 00:32:43,520 --> 00:32:47,440 Speaker 1: just like a nickname. It represents like Kobe and how 542 00:32:47,560 --> 00:32:51,040 Speaker 1: he is on the court and how he takes every 543 00:32:51,160 --> 00:32:55,440 Speaker 1: challenge on and off the court. So for me, I 544 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:59,120 Speaker 1: mean the one arm, I mean, I don't even need 545 00:32:59,160 --> 00:33:03,280 Speaker 1: to explain that spart but yeah, for me, the Mamba 546 00:33:03,440 --> 00:33:07,560 Speaker 1: is just not like an evening tender percents like how 547 00:33:07,600 --> 00:33:10,720 Speaker 1: I am that you know, I'm ready to take on 548 00:33:10,840 --> 00:33:14,120 Speaker 1: any challenge every day on and off the court. Everyone 549 00:33:14,160 --> 00:33:16,640 Speaker 1: we talked to about the Philippines love for Kobe said 550 00:33:16,720 --> 00:33:20,320 Speaker 1: something along these lines that it's the Mamba mentality that 551 00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:23,960 Speaker 1: resonates so much with Filipino fans. Not to mention he 552 00:33:24,120 --> 00:33:27,440 Speaker 1: kept coming back. His repeated trips to the Philippines showed 553 00:33:27,480 --> 00:33:31,840 Speaker 1: bands that their connection with both ways Kobe has always 554 00:33:31,880 --> 00:33:36,080 Speaker 1: been like even bigger than Jordan and Lebron. That's c. J. Tlenano, 555 00:33:36,560 --> 00:33:41,120 Speaker 1: Filipino American writer, director, comedian and the founder of follow 556 00:33:41,160 --> 00:33:43,280 Speaker 1: Through Studios. I mean, I think it's just him. He 557 00:33:43,640 --> 00:33:45,239 Speaker 1: kind of like made it a point to go out 558 00:33:45,280 --> 00:33:49,600 Speaker 1: to the Philippines. And here's Jimmy A. Laban. He's a 559 00:33:49,600 --> 00:33:53,240 Speaker 1: PBA legend and currently is a G League assistant coach 560 00:33:53,360 --> 00:33:56,400 Speaker 1: for the Stockton Kings. When I played throughout my career, 561 00:33:56,560 --> 00:33:58,960 Speaker 1: I only wore Kobe's you know, Kobe actually went to 562 00:33:58,960 --> 00:34:03,720 Speaker 1: the Philipines his rookieyear. And I think that that connection 563 00:34:03,840 --> 00:34:07,200 Speaker 1: with the country and sharing that love and passion for 564 00:34:07,240 --> 00:34:10,040 Speaker 1: the game with him and then him coming you know, 565 00:34:10,239 --> 00:34:12,239 Speaker 1: to the country all the time, I think it really 566 00:34:12,280 --> 00:34:15,120 Speaker 1: just made that connection much much deeper than I think 567 00:34:15,160 --> 00:34:17,160 Speaker 1: some of the other players. And getting a chance to 568 00:34:17,160 --> 00:34:21,920 Speaker 1: meet him multiple times was very very special. Even his last, 569 00:34:22,239 --> 00:34:25,200 Speaker 1: his last visit to Manila, they had this special ceremony 570 00:34:25,239 --> 00:34:28,920 Speaker 1: to just kind of dedicate the Arnetta Coliseum, the historic 571 00:34:29,040 --> 00:34:32,480 Speaker 1: Arnetta Coliseum, to Kobe and they had a frame picture 572 00:34:32,480 --> 00:34:34,440 Speaker 1: of him kind of walking out of the arena. And 573 00:34:34,880 --> 00:34:38,640 Speaker 1: because he had made multiple trips to the country, you know, 574 00:34:38,719 --> 00:34:41,920 Speaker 1: for probably the last decade, and that particular time he 575 00:34:41,960 --> 00:34:43,520 Speaker 1: got a chance to meet my son and my daughter 576 00:34:43,960 --> 00:34:47,000 Speaker 1: and we had a chance to talk afterward, and you know, 577 00:34:47,280 --> 00:34:49,759 Speaker 1: again I gotten a chance to kind of relatively get 578 00:34:49,800 --> 00:34:52,440 Speaker 1: to norm from the previous six seven times he'd been 579 00:34:52,480 --> 00:34:54,160 Speaker 1: in the country, and so you know, when he met 580 00:34:54,160 --> 00:34:55,600 Speaker 1: my kids, he said, oh man, you have your kids. 581 00:34:55,640 --> 00:34:57,120 Speaker 1: You know I have my daughters back in the States, 582 00:34:57,120 --> 00:34:59,480 Speaker 1: And so it was it was a very very special 583 00:34:59,480 --> 00:35:01,719 Speaker 1: connection from because he had such a huge influence on 584 00:35:01,760 --> 00:35:04,760 Speaker 1: my career, not just with his shoes, but the character, 585 00:35:04,840 --> 00:35:08,319 Speaker 1: the work ethic. You know, it's something that helped drive 586 00:35:08,400 --> 00:35:10,560 Speaker 1: me being so far away from home and being the 587 00:35:10,600 --> 00:35:13,719 Speaker 1: Philippines to play. So having that moment with him was 588 00:35:14,239 --> 00:35:18,560 Speaker 1: something I'll definitely always remember. Thanks for listening to episode 589 00:35:18,640 --> 00:35:21,720 Speaker 1: four of Hoops Paradise the Philippines Love of the game. 590 00:35:22,160 --> 00:35:25,920 Speaker 1: Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you 591 00:35:25,960 --> 00:35:29,080 Speaker 1: get podcasts, and check out episode five or we'll be 592 00:35:29,120 --> 00:35:33,319 Speaker 1: examining the NBA dream from a Philippine perspective. I felt 593 00:35:33,360 --> 00:35:36,359 Speaker 1: like I didn't have experience. I also felt somewhere subconsciously 594 00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:40,000 Speaker 1: that I didn't look like your typical NBA head coach. 595 00:35:41,000 --> 00:35:45,479 Speaker 1: I wasn't an older veteran coach, wasn't white. You don't 596 00:35:45,480 --> 00:35:47,799 Speaker 1: really know what box to put me in, so I 597 00:35:47,880 --> 00:35:51,440 Speaker 1: just knew subconsciously that I didn't look the part, and 598 00:35:51,560 --> 00:35:55,239 Speaker 1: that kind of messes with you a little bit. And 599 00:35:55,280 --> 00:35:58,160 Speaker 1: then my family started to tell me that I was 600 00:35:58,200 --> 00:36:01,320 Speaker 1: the first Asian coach and the first Filipino head coaching 601 00:36:01,400 --> 00:36:03,680 Speaker 1: in any sport, and then it became a source of pride.