Manila becomes Kobe-town: July 21
July 04, 2009 | 11:42AMI wonder if he’s coming in with a scowl or a smile. Kobe Bryant returns to Manila on July 21, 2009 to kick-off the Kobe Bryant 2009 Asia Tour. Will the future Hall-of-Famer return to Manila as feisty as he was in the NBA Finals or as friendly as he will ever be now that he’s on top of the NBA universe?
Bryant visits Manila and 5 other cities in Asia later this month to interact primarily with kids and help them improve their games. Perhaps it’s a grand opportunity for Bryant to show-off his new championship smile as well.
Laker Nation Manila Chapter considers this a slightly-delayed victory parade for Bryant. Over one hundred thousand fans packed the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and thousands more lined up along the downtown streets of Los Angeles to honor Bryant and the 2009 NBA Champions. Once Bryant hits town, expect Laker die-hards in Metro Manila to show the 2009 NBA Finals MVP a lot of Laker Love Manila-Style. From Manila, Bryant’s Asia Tour goes on a full-court press to Singapore (July 22), Taipei (July 23), Hong Kong (July 24), Shanghai (July 25) and Chengdu (July 26).
Bryant returns with a new aura invigorated by redemption and accomplishment. Since his last visit, he lost to the Celtics in the Finals in June ‘08, won the Olympic Gold Medal with the US Redeem Team in Beijing, scored 61 points at the Madison Square Garden, lost the ‘09 MVP race to Lebron James then defeated the Orlando Magic to win his fourth NBA title last month.
Bryant also hopes to check the development of young varsity players he personally trained, even if it was for just one surreal afternoon at the Philsports Arena, back in 2007. Mike Gamboa (UP), Kirk Long (Ateneo), Joshua Webb (DLSU), Nico Salva (Ateneo) and Clark Bautista (UST) might just reunite with their one-day mentor on July 21.
“I’m looking forward to returning to Asia to see the progress the kids have made since my last visit,” Bryant said. “I liked what I saw then and I’m planning to work the kids even harder to give them a better sense of the dedication and hard work it takes to be a champion.” MH
