The Philippine basketball team, Mighty Sports, which recently bagged the bronze medal in the Dubai International Basketball Championship thanked overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE for showing their support and making the players feel like they are playing at their own home court.
Mighty Sports star Justin Brownlee called the experience of recognized by over 2,500 Filipinos every game day as a “blessing”, reported Spin.ph.
“I’m just very honored,” Brownlee said.
“It’s a blessing to be looked in that kind of light by the Filipino community here. I’m just trying to go out there and show that Pinoy pride and make everybody proud, Filipino fans proud,” he added.
According to the Spin.ph report written by Karlo Sacamos, an estimated average of 2,500 Filipino fans in Dubai were present every single game of the Philippine team. Even after their games, the team’s Filipino fans patiently waited outside the venue to take photos with the players.
“I feel like I’m in the Philippines. Everywhere I walk, I feel like Filipinos, they come up to me, and they recognize me, and ask to take pictures and stuff like that, so it’s just like the Philippines,” Brownlee said.
The support shown by the Filipinos, however, was not surprising, said Robert Prado, co-owner of MPQ Travel and Tourism in Dubai, UAE.
“Iba sumuporta ang mga kabayan dito. Maski ang ulam bukas ay sardinas, bibili ng ticket basta makanood lang ng laban ng Pilipinas,” said Prado.
Mighty Sports capped its stint in the Dubai International Basketball Championship on a high note after mauling Homenetmen, 92-76, in the battle for third at the Shabab Al-Ahli Club in Dubai.
PHOTO CREDITS: Spin.ph/Karlo Sacamos
