DOC BIMBO RELISHES MEMORABLE NBA ALL-STAR EXPERIENCE
Cebuano diehard NBA fan Bimbo Tequillo relishes what he considers his most memorable NBAAll-Star experience exactly a week ago at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
For half a decade now, Doc Bimbo has been traveling to the United States just to enjoy the intensity and the unique brand of entertainment a live NBA game brings.
In his first NBA sojourn, Doc Bimbo was thrilled to the bones when his idol LeBron James, then playing for Cleveland, executed a monster dunk during Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors in 2015 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
“My idol is LBJ. For me, he is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time),” said Tequillo, a doctor by profession specializing in internal medicine. “I’m specially inspired with him being a philanthropist. He has given so much back to his community.”
Doc Bimbo was also at the spectators stand in the 2017 NBAAll-Star showcase in New Orleans as well as during the league’s annual spectacle two years ago at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
But the 39-year-old Tequillo readily admitted that his latest trip in Chicago for 69th NBA All-Star extravaganza last February 14-16 is by far the most special one.
“This was probably the most memorable one because I had access to their parties, panel shows, media day, their practice and plus a lot of tributes for Kobe Bryant,” said Tequillo.
“Also, I was thrilled to see Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans) and Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks) play up close,” he added. “And because there was a change in format for the AllStar game, there was no time clock for the 4th quarter, so the game extended for a long time. It eventually ended around 11 pm. Neither team wanted to lose, so klaro kaayo sila naninguha. It made the game very exciting.”
During his three-day stay in the Windy City, he was fortunate enough to have selfies with more than 10 NBA stars, both retired and active, including Robert Horry, Glenn Rice, Mitchell Donovan, Jason Tatum, and Charles Barkley.
But everything did not come in handy for Doc Bimbo. Just like any other fans, he had to go through a long line but he did not mind it for as long as he was able to get what he wanted.
“The bigger reason why I attend these kinds of events is to brush shoulders with NBA stars and get their autographs because I’m a collector. I wait up in long lines to get what I want,” said Doc Bimbo, whose NBA memorabilias are on display at his First 5 Sports Bar and Lounge at Bonifacio District in Barangay Panagdait, Cebu City.
It’s all worth it though for Doc Bimbo because seeing his favorite players in the flesh really has a pretty strong impact in him.
“Every time I rub elbows with them, I feel like a child again, forgetting my age and just thanking God each time for the blessing,” he ended.