By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
“Kung indi tungod kay Kobe Bryant, laban nga mga teenager diri kag basketball fanatic wala gana mag dalagan sa court kag mag halampang.”
Those were the heartfelt words by ODM Sportswear owner, Mr. Jeremiah Obera, who conducted a Kobe Bryant tribute day in Malipayon Village, Roxas City.
A day filled with basketball through two exhibition games highlighted the Bryant tribute day as ODM printed special white and black mamba jerseys free for all the players.
There was also a huge tarpaulin printed and hanged in the gymnasium to honor the Lakers legend. The banner also serves as motivation and a source of inspiration to everyone who will set foot on the court.
Almost 200 hundred people flocked to the Malipayon Village basketball gym to pay tribute to the “Black Mamba” and participate in the games.
The game in the 18 under category became a tight one as players displayed their idol’s fierce competitiveness and fire to win, ending on a game-winning shot that helped Mamba Black squad prevail over Mamba white.
After the game winner, the player did a Mamba smirk and continued to play tough defense until the last buzzer.
“This is all about my passion sa basketball and sa pag idolize ko kay Kobe. This event nga gin put up ko is all for Kobe Byant and sa mga pamilya that perished because of the unfortunate tragedy. Also, ang mga kabataan and teenager nga ari diri sa Roxas ma notice mo pirme sa social media puro Kobe highlights gid ang gnapost and kung mangkuton mo kung ngaa nag basketball sila, puros nila sabat, tungod kay Kobe. Amo ina ka grabe ang impact ni Kobe not only sagwa, but pati diri sa aton.” Mr. Obera told the Daily Guardian in a special interview.
