Filipinos’ hoop passion amazes Nash

Former NBA superstar Steve Nash answers questions from the media during a meet and green at Sofitel Wednesday morning. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

TWO-TIME NBA MVP Steve Nash is blown away by the Filipinos’ love and passion for basketball just two days into his first trip to Manila.

Serving as Team Canada’s GM in the ongoing Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the 42-year-old Nash can’t help but marvel at the hosts’ devotion for the sport after seeing the huge crowd at Mall of Asia Arena.

“It’s fantastic that the game is so important here to the people,” Nash said at a press conference at Sofitel yesterday. “And where there’s passion, there’s potential.

“I think to play at home is a great opportunity to reach the Olympics. With tournaments like this, the Philippines will also have its own era of developing talent.”

Nash, who played for the Phoenix, Los Angeles and Dallas in a 19-year NBA career, raised hopes that Filipinos could play in the NBA, using his own success story.

“I was skinny and short,” said the 6-foot-3 NBA MVP in 2005 and 2006. “But anything is possible if you have big dreams, imagination and hard work. You have to fall in love with the game.”