Kobe Bryant delights Filipino fans with return to Manila

A DAY WITH KOBE. Kobe Bryant, in his third visit to the Philippines, hopes to inspire and encourage the young Filipino athletes to do their best and reach for their dreams. Bryant on his one-day visit, had a full day answering the questions from the press, visiting kids from the Gawad Kalinga’s youth developmental program, getting up-close and personal with his fans at the Nike Park in Taguig and, coaching an exhibition game to selected members of Nike sponsored teams. Video by INQUIRER.net’s Cathy Miranda

MANILA, Philippines — Basketball afficionados may have missed him during the last finals season but NBA superstar Kobe Bryant is now back in the limelight to the delight of his Filipino fans.

The Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard is back in Manila for the third time, through Nike Philippines, to kick-off his five-city Asian tour which also includes Seoul, South Korea, and three cities in China.

At a press conference in Makati City on Wednesday, the 2007-2008 NBA most valuable player said that he “just loves going back to Manila.”

Asked what his most memorable experience was during his previous visits, the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medalist said: “I really enjoy being around the kids and playing basketball with them.”

Bryant will be proceeding to the Gawad Kalinga village in Taguig later this Wednesday to show support for the out-of-school youth of GK’S developmental program, SIGA.

Bryant first met the kids of SIGA program during his 2009 visit.

The star who led the LA Lakers to back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010 will reconnect with them through a basketball clinic where he will give the young athletes tips to further improve their skills.

The highlight of Bryant’s one-day visit will be the main event at the Araneta Coliseum at 5:00 p.m. when he will treat his fans by coaching an exhibition game between members of Nike sponsored teams of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, La Salle Green Archers, FEU Tamaraws and Smart Gilas Pilipinas, the Philippines’ national squad.

Bryant said he had no idea about reports that he might be joining Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose and other key NBA players in a series of charity games against Smart Gilas to help boost the national team’s chances of getting the lone Asian slot in the 2012 London Olympics.