By NIKOLE JAVIER
Rising star Austin Reaves of the LA Lakers was grateful to the Filipinos for showing their support in Team USA’s 99-72 win over New Zealand in the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
From Gilas Pilipinas, the basketball-crazed nation extended its love and support to the 25-year-old NBA guard, who was one of the six Americans to finish in double-digit with 12 points on a 4-of-6 shooting including six assists and three steals.
Though it wasn’t unheard of and Reaves knew what was coming when he landed in the Philippines after Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy caught him up to speed about the passionate Filipino fans which he experienced firsthand during his visit to the country last June.
“I kind of saw it coming, starting with Phil Handy. He was telling me that [the Filipinos] love the Lakers out here. It’s special for me, from a super small town, not a lot of people expected me to be here representing our country. So, for them (Filipinos) to accept me the way that they accept me, it means a lot to me,” said Reeves.
Before some of the 10,978 crowd who roared as soon as Reaves got up to enter the court, the 6-foot-5 American got the full experience that Handy told him about.
It was the first time that the USA fielded a much less experienced group of players in its international competition and as far as Steve Kerr’s decision is concerned, the gamble seemed to be paying off as they joined Greece atop the Group C standings with a win each.
Even Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards equally thrilled with the support showed by the Filipino fans.
“We are across the world, fans cheering for us. I mean, that’s super exciting. It doesn’t get better than that. I hope they continue to do it,” said Edwards.
The Steve Kerr-coached USA is set to face Greece sans Giannis Antetokounmpo on Monday, Aug. 28 for the solo lead in the Group C standings and boost their respective bids to the Round of 16.
“The basketball, the culture here is dope. The fans, the fan base is crazy, the game was super loud and super exciting. I can’t wait to play again on Monday,” he added.
