Philippines, 29 Mar 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA FINALS: PACQUIAO, PINOY SPORTS PERSONALITIES ROOT FOR WARRIORS


PhilBoxing.com




The entire nation of Israel is throwing its support to the Cleveland Cavaliers in their coming championship playoff date with the Golden State Warriors for all the NBA marbles which begins Thursday (Friday in Manila) in Oakland, CA.

This, no less than Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared in a message to Cavs coach David Blatt which says: "All of Israel is behind the Cavaliers."

The Israeli official's message is understandable for reason that Blatt, a highly-respected basketball mentor, is famous to have carried Israel's Maccabi TelAviv team to the Euroleague Championship last year.

Coach Steve Kerr's Golden State Warriors are not lacking in international support though. The entire Filipino community in California, particularly in the Bay Area, is definitely extending its all out support to the team it embraces as their own like the full-bloodied Caifornians do.

Count millions of U.S.-based Filipinos sprinkled in all parts of the land of sweet and honey, including the State of Ohio, as well as those in nearby Canada and it will show that, indeed, the Warriors can match, if not surpass, the international support LeBron James and teammates stand to get in their quest for their first ever NBA crown.

A survey conducted by philboxing.com, Reyfort Group of Publishing in Vancouver, Philippine Digest of Los Angeles and Asian fights Scene of Singapore, among Filipino sportsmen, and Filipinos back home, are hoping that the Warriors win back the NBA championship the Bay Area dribblers held 40 years ago.

World eight-division boxing champion and four lineal belt-owner Manny Pacquiao, basketball legend Robert "Sonny" Jaworski, businessman-sportsman Manny V. Panglilinan, Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco and POC vice president Joey Romasanta, were all one in choosing the Oakland-based cagers to prevail in their best-of-sevens title series with the Cavs.

Of those surveyed, only Meralco coach Norman Black confessed he's for the Cavs. "The reason is because I'm from the East coast (Baltimore)."

"For the simple reason that Golden State represents an area where the most number of Filipinos in America live, I want the Warriors to win the series and crown themselves the NBA champions," Pacquiao said in answer to the question as to who he prefers to emerge triumphant.

"Pilipinong-Pilipino ang dating ng Warriors, especially (reigning NBA MVP Steve) Curry," Pacquiao assessed. "Wala siyang kayabang-yabang, simpleng-simple lang kahit na siya ang tinanghal na season MVP of the world's biggest pro-league."

Pacquiao reminisced when Curry visited him weeks before his last fight with undefeated American Floyd Mayweaher while training in Los Angeles where the spitfire point-guard obliged to having his photo taken with basketball-playing sons Jimwell and Michael.

"I appreciae that gesture. Napakabait niya. Parang Pilipino talaga," he said with amusement. "Binigyan pa nga niya ako ng playing uniform niya."

"I go with Golden State," Jaworski, the "Big J" or "Jawo" to fans, said. "This in spite of LeBron James who is with the Cavs. And his visible improvement on maturity."

"Yes! Stephen Curry and the whole Golden State group, when healthy, can win it," Jaworski exclaimed. "Golden State has, definitely, risen to unthinkable heights, filling the blanks of factors and elements necessary for a team to succeed."

"Me? Warriors," telecommunications tycoon Pangilinan, owner of three clubs in the local pro-league PBA, said. "San francisco is one of my favorie cities. "

"Kay Curry ako," was POC president Cjuangco's brief reply. "Sayang, I was not able to watch the second half of Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals (in reference to the game where Golden State clinched the right to meet the Cavs for the title)."

Romasanta, basketball greats Atoy Co and Jimmy Mariano, Philippine Sports Commission executive director, Atty. Guillermo Iroy, Arellano University president Peter Cayco and Manila City Hall Engineer Robert Evangelista all echoed the setiments expressed by their peers, especially on Curry.

"Curry's brand of play approximates that of Filipinos," Co, mainstay of the legendary Crispa during his playing days, said.

"At 6-foot-3, maliit siya compared to other American players. But he makes up for his shortcomings with his speed and dribbling wizardry. Ganyan tayong mga Pilipino, di ba?"


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • AJ Paciones Stops Wanchai, Retains WBA Asia 108 Belt in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Ador Torres Scores Round 4 TKO WIn in Thailand, Still ABF-147 Champ
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Weigh-In Results: Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada vs. Yokasta Valle Championship Doubleheader
    , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Pagaduan to face Bubpamalo on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Andrew Moloney-Pedro Guevara Interim Junior Bantamweight Title Showdown Confirmed as New Co-Feature to Lomachenko-Kambosos Super Fight at RAC Arena in Perth & LIVE on ESPN
    , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • CBN Promotions Expands Broadcast Reach with Addition of Stadium and Gray Television as Distribution Partners
    , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Daya, Paulino rule OCR
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Wild, Wild Western Conference
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez-Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada-Yokasta Valle Doubleheader Set for Friday
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • WEIGHTS FROM BIG TIME BOXING USA IN DETROIT
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Undefeated Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes to Attend Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson Fight Eyes Potential Showdown with Winner
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PACE to host FIDE chess tilt this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Preserving a Legacy: The Birth of the Philippine Boxing Historical Society
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Garcia vs Haney: Boxing Match or A Live Mental Break Down?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Christian Mbilli-Mark Heffron Super Middleweight Main Event & Arslanbek Makhmudov-Junior Fa Heavyweight Battle Set for May 25 at Gervais Auto Center in Shawinigan, Canada
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • MATÍAS MAKES HOMECOMING DEFENSE AGAINST PARO ON JUNE 15
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • ‘ROCKY’ HERNANDEZ RETURNS AGAINST LUGO IN MEXICO ON MAY 11
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PCAP: Cavite eyeing to bounce back
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • HALL OF FAMER ANN WOLFE TO ATTEND 2024 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Gathering of champions
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Filipinos AJ Paciones and Ador Torres Make Weight for Title Fights in Highland Boxing Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Visiting Teams All Won vs Hosts; Boston Finally Loses
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Lukas to face undefeated Jaiklom on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Sulaiman leaves Manila with fond memories
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Montano to Fight for WBO Oriental Welterweight Title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.