MANILA: NBA legend Kobe Bryant who visited the Philippines on Saturday to conduct a training camp for selected players as part of the Mamba Mentality Tour has drawn a huge turnout from his adoring Pinoy fans.
It was Bryant’s first visit to the country after capping his glorious 20 years career in the NBA last April.
Long lines formed outside the SMART-Araneta Coliseum despite the hot and humid weather, and a full house crowd gave the warmest of welcomes to the future Hall of Famer, reported GMA News.
“I just wanna say thank you so much for inspiring me on this journey. It’s crazy. I started playing basketball when I was two years old, and I’ve never ever in my wildest dreams ever imagined everything that came after,” he was quoted as saying by the news portal.
The 37-year-old Byrant was surprised with a painted tarpaulin of an iconic still from his “The Conductor” Nike commercial, which was already hanging from the rafters of the coliseum.
“Thank you so much. I’m deeply honored by that. I’m speechless about it,” said a visibly touched Bryant, reports GMA News. “I love you. I will see you soon.”
“I retired professionally as a basketball player but I have not retired of coming to Manila,” he said. “The Black Mamba is now retired, but now I’ve passed that on to all of you, to be Mambas in your own right.”
