MCW thankful to be a basketball ambassador
LAST week Milwaukee Bucks star guard Michael Carter-Williams was in town to give face to the 2016 edition in the country of the National Basketball Association’s premier 3-on-3 competition, NBA 3X.
It was a trip that the former NBA rookie of the year said was very gratifying on his part as a basketball ambassador in general, seeing how the Filipinos, like him, know and are passionate about the sport.
Speaking to members of the local press in his media availability prior to the start of the NBA 3X Philippines 2016, which took place from Aug. 19 to 21, “MCW” shared that he is very thankful to have been given the chance to play basketball, a sport that has expanded his horizons in more ways than one.
“The sport has been great to me. I never have dreamt of coming here and across the world, seeing different cultures and people because of basketball,” said Mr. Carter-Williams.
He added, making it double exciting and memorable for him here in the country was the warm reception he received and the incredible passion the Filipinos of all ages have for basketball.
Finished his second year with the Bucks last season, the Syracuse alumnus said the NBA stop in Milwaukee has been going well for him.
While he admitted to having reservations initially in being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers, the team who drafted him 11th overall in the 2013 rookie draft, he said that step-by-step he is finding his niche in the team, coached by NBA legend Jason Kidd.
“Things happen. I know [ being traded in the NBA] is part of the business. I had a hard time adjusting at first but I have been learning. I am excited to be playing for the Bucks and Jason Kidd,” the 24-year-old NBA star said.
He went on to say that they in Milwaukee will try to be competitive come next season while also vowing to stay healthy and continue working on his game.
Last season, MCW averaged 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals in 54 games. The Bucks had a 33-49 record, 12th overall in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs.
NBA 3X WINNERS
Meanwhile, EGS-Elite notched a four-peat in the Men’s Open Division to highlight another successful staging of NBA 3X Philippines.
Composed of Ian Garrido, Rocky Acidre, Rutger Acidre and Mark Anthony Dolimon, EGSElite beat Ako Two Team, 13-8, to cop its fourth straight title.
The Celebrity Division was won by Team Yan, led by TV personality Bobby Yan and anchored by Azkal footballer Aly Borromeo, Jun Macasaet and three- time NBA 3X Slam Dunk Champion David Carlos.
Other winners were Team Jacob Liit (Under-16 Boys Division), BRODIAC (U-18 Boys category), Balon Dagupan A (U-16 Girls Division), and National University ( Women’s Open Division).
In the individual categories, Jerome Hamac from Zamboanga is this year’s Three-Point Shootout Champion, Gabriel Aveno from Bulacan is the Skills Challenge Champion and Axl Tolentino of Caloocan is the Shooting Stars Champion.
This year was the sixth straight staging of NBA 3X Philippines which was presented by Panasonic with CloudFone, Globe Telecom, Touch Mobile, and Sprite as official partners and SM Mall of Asia and Spalding as supporting partners. —