Kobe Bryant returns to Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Frequent Manila visitor Kobe Bryant has returned to the country, talking to the Philippine media about an array of issues ranging from his basketball career and social media activity to his favorite mobile phone.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar is in town to promote Lenovo’s latest line of mobile phones as the Chinese tech company’s brand ambassador.

In a press conference at the Resorts World Manila in Pasay on Monday, Bryant addressed questions on his road to recovery from a torn Achilles tendon that he sustained during the NBA playoffs.

“My rehab has been great. I'm not only good but I'm way away ahead of schedule,” said the NBA star, who has spent his summer break in deep training.

Bryant then went on to talk about Gilas Pilipinas’ recent FIBA Asia Championship success, his goal of getting his sixth championship with the Lakers, and what drives him to be competitive even as he reaches the twilight of his career.

“It's about constant curiosity, wondering how I can get better on defense how I can get better on offense,” Bryant added.

During the NBA playoffs, Lenovo unveiled Bryant’s first TV commercial specifically made for its Philippine market. There, the basketball star famously quipped the company’s tagline: “Walang Iwanan”.

Monday marks Bryant’s sixth visit to the Philippines, once with Adidas, thrice with Nike and the last with a band of young stars bannered by Chicago Bulls point guard and former NBA MVP Derrick Rose, Oklahoma Thunder Kevin Durant and his former teammate and now Houston Rocket James Harden in a pair of exhibition games during the lockout period in 2011.

Bryant joins some NBA stars who have made stops in Manila, including Miami Heat star LeBron James, Harden and the New Orleans Pelicans’ Eric Gordon. Another superstar, Rose, is due to hit town in September. – With report from TJ Manotoc