A Filipino basketball fan has won a prize of $95,000 or over P4.7 million after hitting the halfcourt shot during a Lakers game in Los Angeles.
Jerald Acoba took center stage between the third and fourth quarters as part of the Aria Big Shot Jackpot and immediately began waving his arms to fire up the sold-out Staples Center crowd.
The 30-year-old gave it a heave from halfcourt and watched as the ball briefly spun around the rim before falling through the basket.
Acoba celebrated with the Lakers themselves, as Nick Young, Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell all came over to congratulate him. Acoba even broke out Russell’s trademark “ice in my veins” celebration.
“It’s good to see a lot of fans keeping that ‘ice in the veins’ going,” Russell said after the game. “I appreciate everybody for that. That’s a lot of money, man. Take care of it.”
Jerald said that he will use the cash to buy his mother a car.
“She’s always been there for me when I need her,” Acoba said. “She’s always there to help me out. It’s my turn to repay the favor to her.”
