Manila Bulletin

Stephen Curry to grace UAAP opening at MOA today

- By AA PATAWARAN

It was raining Friday at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig. Making it pour, indoor and beyond the arc, was none other than Golden State Warrior Guard Stephen Curry, who is back in Manila after three years, to promote his signature sneaker SC5 from Under Armour, part of the SC30 Asian Tour.

After meeting members of the press who witnessed his superb shooting skills at the basketball gym of Kerry Sports Manila at Shangri-La at

The Fort, Curry, who having a sweet tooth, got his first taste of a Pinoy favorite halo-halo, which he described as “perfect for post-workout.”

During the press conference, Curry expressed his excitement over this long overdue return to the Philippine­s. “We’re currently about 20 days away from training camp, and it’s a nice time to be here in Manila, to see everybody here, to share my successes on the court,” said the NBA champion. “There is so much support here in the Philippine­s and all of Southeast Asia for what we do on the court, what I do, and what I represent.”

It’s been a great summer coming off a championsh­ip, according to Curry. Right now, what he wants is to have a great time while “enjoying with the fans, enjoying the culture, and enjoying the city.”

Curry also hyped his fans and said that he intends to stay at the top his game for as long as he can. “I got to keep getting better, keep pushing myself,” he said. As for their NBA championsh­ip run, Warrior fans should expect their dynasty to still stand strong. “I mean we want more. We want more. We want to accomplish the ultimate feat of winning a championsh­ip every single year,” Curry said. “That is why you work so hard in the off-season. It is why you put in the hours every day to get the right mindset, to get your body ready, and to take advantage of a very short basketball career. And win as many titles as you can.”

“I feel like I 'm at my peak as a player, I want to stay on that level for as long as I can. I’m going to keep pushing myself to that direction,” he said. “I have great teammates, a great organizati­onthat I get to play for. We have an amazing opportunit­y to do something that’s rarely done in the NBA — become champs three years in a row.”

According to Curry, competitio­n in the NBA is currently at an all-time high. “The Western Conference is going to be tough,” he said. “But I feel like we know how to win. We have what it takes.”

Inspire hoop fans

Finally, Curry thanks all of his fans in the Philippine­s. He said it still feels surreal, even after

years of having a vast number of followers and fans, to come out of a plane and see 250,000 fans waiting for him, wanting a selfie with him or have him sign something.

He said it’s never comfortabl­e, but he appreciate­s the opportunit­y to have that kind of influence.

“To inspire the next generation in the game of basketball, that’s what it’s all about,” he said.

“I appreciate the support here from the Philippine­s. When I check social media, even around the Bay Area, there ' so much love and support for me and my family from the fans here in the Philippine­s.

I appreciate that sincerely. That’s why I' looking forward to coming back here. Hopefully itcontinue­s. I’m trying to be great on the court, chase championsh­ips, and give all my fans here inthe Philippine­s something to be proud of, something to support and get excited about.

That’s what this tour is about, it’s what the stop is about, and we’re going to do that to the fullest.”

After the press conference, Curry proceeded to the Under Armour 3x3 Championsh­ip at the Mall of Asia Arena. He will be in Manila for the next few days and is set to grace the UAAP Season 81opening at the Mall of Asia Arena today.

 ??  ?? SHOOTING STAR – Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors warms up before shooting some hoops at the Shang-ri La in The Fort, Makati City, Friday. The NBA superstar was flown to Manila for a promotiona­l tour by his sponsor, Under Armour. (Rio Deluvio)
SHOOTING STAR – Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors warms up before shooting some hoops at the Shang-ri La in The Fort, Makati City, Friday. The NBA superstar was flown to Manila for a promotiona­l tour by his sponsor, Under Armour. (Rio Deluvio)

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