Stephen Curry leaves Daniel Padilla speechless, basketball fans roaring at MOA arena in 1-day Manila visit

By: Paolo Manuel C. Fule

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry left the Philippines wanting for more of him, and indeed, he said this will not be his last trip to the country as he finished his one-day only trip to Manila for his Under Armour promotional tour on September 5, Saturday.

He capped the day with a media question and answer at Raffles hotel in Makati followed by an exhibition game with selected high school cagers at the Mall of Asia Arena in the afternoon. Philippine actor and teen heartthrob Daniel Padilla had a meet-and-greet with him in a VIP lounge at Raffles Makati. “That might have been the first time, I’m guessing, he was speechless”, said Curry in the media press conference. It was reported recently that Stephen Curry surprisingly  followed Daniel Padilla on Twitter because the actor posted his collection of the champion layers’ signature shoes and merchandise.

Asked by this reporter if there is pressure going into the regular season being the efending champion and reigning MVP, the baby-faced Curry said “We feel like we’re still the team to beat. It’s going to be a different challenge for us. We’ve never defended an NBA championship before so it will be a new experience for us. All eyes are on our team and every other team is trying to knock us off our throne, so we have to be even better than we were last year to get back to the top.”

Wardell Stephen “Steph” Curry II or popularly known as Stephen Curry was born on March 14, 1988. He is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6’ 3” tall, Curry plays the point guard position and is considered by some to be the one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.  The 2015 NBA Most Valuable Player and a two-time NBA All-Star, is the son of former NBA player Dell Curry. In this year’s NBA finals, Curry carried his team into the championship, something that the Golden State Warriors franchise hasn’t repeated since 1975.

Yaco brothers from Davao elevate Junior Altas to new heights

By: Paolo Manuel C.Fule

Siblings in the hard court have evidently fascinated the collegiate basketball world today. The rise of Tengsanity with brothers Jeron and Jeric Teng in their epic matchup in UAAP season 76 was such a historical one, as it broke the record for the most number of attendees in a UAAP Finals match at the Mall of Asia Arena. Last season, the Ravenas Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena are took center stage as team mates for the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

The maroon and white University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Las Pinas Campus Juniors also has its share of siblings sharing basketball inside the court. Meet Phillip Given and Gian Yaco. Born February 8, 1997 and February 27, 1998 respectively, in Davao City, both players play as shooting guards for the Junior Altas.

Their parents are Felipe and Grace Yaco. Phillip Given Yaco stands 6 feet tall, and is currently a fourth year high school in UPHSD Las Pinas Campus. He started to play last year as part of the NCAA season 89. Asked about his best asset in the court, Phillip quipped, “I think it would be my defense and drive. On the other hand, I think I have to improve my offense and my confidence inside the court”.

His pre-game rituals include eating a lot, praying and the determination to win in every game he is in. His career high in point is 16 in a tournament held in Davao City. He is included in the mythical five in their provincial basketball league.

In the NBA, he likes the 16-time world champions Los Angeles Lakers, and he idolizes Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers and one of NBA’s all-time greats, Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls.

“It’s good because we help each other inside the court and as a team mate, there is chemistry already between us as siblings”, said Phillip of the advantage of having a brother as a team mate. He likes to be a PBA player in the near future.

Gian Yaco is a 5’10” senior high school student. He believes that one of his assets inside the court is his shooting and driving skills. In their Fr. Martin’s Cup tournament, he scored 12 points for the Junior Altas against Chiang Kai Shek College. In Davao City, he scored his career best 29 points in one of their basketball leagues. He was also chosen as one of the mythical five members in their basketball league in Davao.

In the NBA, he likes the star-studded Cleveland Cavaliers and his favorite player is none other than the King himself, Lebron James. Just like his brother, he likes to be a professional basketball player in the PBA.

Email the author at paolomanuelfule@yahoo.com