MANILA, Philippines — Pinuri ni NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns ng Dominican Republic ang fighting spirit ng Gilas Pilipinas na personal nitong nasaksihan sa FIBA World Cup kamakalawa sa Philippine Arena sa Bocaue, Bulacan.
Bago pa man tumulak sa Pilipinas, may ideya na si Towns sa ‘never say die’ attitude ng Gilas Pilipinas base na rin sa kuwento ng kanyang kaibigang Pilipino.
“I’ve grown up with my best friends who is heavy on Filipino culture, he was born here. General Santos. Very proud to be a Dominican but also very proud to meet all the great fans in the Philippines and being able to tell them ‘Salamat. Mabuhay,’” ani Towns.
Kaya naman mataas ang tingin nito sa Gilas na kilalang kumakayod ng husto at hindi basta-basta sumusuko.
Kinailangan ng Dominican Republic na trumabaho ng husto bago itarak ang 87-81 panalo laban sa Gilas Pilipinas sa opening day ng world meet.
Nanguna sa ratsada ng Gilas Pilipinas si NBA star Jordan Clarkson na humataw ng 28 puntos.
“Filipinos are a culture that don’t give up and they play hard as I expect. This culture is nothing but hardworking people,” ani Towns.
Masaya si Towns sa mainit na pagtanggap ng mga Pilipino sa lahat ng delegado ng FIBA World Cup.
Saludo ito sa hospitality ng mga Pilipino na isa sa tunay na tumatatak sa bawat turistang dumarating sa bansa.
“It’s amazing. I’ve never been here. I told everyone I was dying to come here. I didn’t know it would be through basketball. Again, super excited to be here. The fans have been nothing but amazing,” ani Towns.