Gasol racks up 24 points and $24,000 for ‘Yolanda’ victims

By: Celest R. Flores - 10 years ago

Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol (16) has the ball knocked away by New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis (23) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Pau Gasol came up big on Saturday, scoring a 24 big points en route to victory — not only for the Los Angeles Lakers, but for the Filipinos as well.

Gasol’s pledge to donate $1,000 for every point he scored against Golden State was already a gesture worth praise, but the Spaniard still took that extra mile to help.

“I definitely had motivation of scoring tonight for the Philippines,” Gasol said after the 102-95 win at home in Staples Center.

It was only Gasol’s third 20-point scoring night in 13 games this season for the Lakers, and he even finished just a shade under his season-best of 25.

Gasol also had 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block to rally the Lakers, who still.

In total, Gasol is donating $24,000 to UNICEF to help in the continuous relief efforts, two weeks after super Typhoon “Yolanda” caused wide-spread damage in Eastern Visayas.

Gasol’s efforts, though, didn’t just stop after that win. He encouraged his 2.3 million Twitter followers to help as well — something he has been doing for the past week.

Some of his followers had offered at least a dollar for every point he scores or two for every rebound he gets — to which Gasol answered, “every bit counts.”

Former Lakers coach and legend Phil Jackson was one of those who pledged, offering $50 for every point and rebound Gasol chalks up.

Jackson also said he’ll add $1,000 for every charge Gasol would draw but the Laker star didn’t take one that night.