Ni: Ernest Hernandez
HINDI man kasing-ingay ang pagdating ni OKC Thunder big man Steven Adams kumpara sa mga NBA stars, dinagsa nang basketball fans ang pagbisita ng Kiwi star kahapon sa SM MOA Arena.
Kasama ang dating NBA coach na si Reggie Theus at ang pamosong LA Laker Girls, tatampukan ni Adams ang programa para sa gaganaping NBA 3X Philippines sa Hulyo 22-23.
Naging lehitimong star ang 12th overall pick sa 2013 NBA draft nang palagdain siya ng Thunder ng apat na taong kontrata na nagkakahalaga ng US$100 milyon.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the Filipino fans and experiencing the country’s vibrant culture,” pahayag ni Adams sa ginanap na media conference kahapon. “I’m also excited to work with the talented athletes from across the Philippines at NBA 3X.”
Iginiit ni Adams na ang 3-on-3 basketball ay may malaking maitutulong para sa development ng bilis at tikas ng player. Bukod dito, malaki na ang komunidad ng sports bunsod na rin nang mapabilang na regular sports sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “3-on-3 always changes the rules of things that aren’t 5-on-5. More responsibility in a covered more area, it is a lot more difficult actually. It is more high-paced and intense game,” sambit ng seven-foot center.
“I think it is great. Any extra basketball stuff is always good. It will be another entertaining thing to watch if you love basketball.”
Ito ang unang pagkakataon na nakarating si Adams sa Manila ay nananabik umano siya na maranasan ang pamosong ‘hospitality’ ng Pinoy, gayundin ang pagmamahal sa basketball.
“We have a big Filipino community in New Zealand. I played on a couple of tournaments against Filipino teams. The whole team wanted to be Kobe Bryant – they were doing fadeaways, and all these cool stuff. It was funny to watch,” aniya.
