PACQUIAO, PINOYS CHEER FOR GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 04 Jun 2016
The one big reason why Filipinos liked Golden State to win last year's NBA championship was because the Warriors represented an area with the biggest number of basketball-crazy Filipinos in the United States.
It can't be denied that the biggest number of migrants from this side of the world are in the State of California -- in the Bay Area, especially, so, it's no surprise really why the Warriors became the apple of the eyes of the Pinoys, both back home and overseas.
No less than two-time NBA MVP Stphen Curry's 48-year-old mother Sonya Adams Curry recognized that when, during the 2015 Warriors' title conquest, she sent her heartfelt thanks to Filipino fans for supporting her son and his team.
It has even been reported that each time the Warriors play, Filipinos comprised 70 percent of the audience, leading not a few media men to pronounce the Dubs the Philippine team in he NBA.
It is for this reason, too, that, according to eight-division boxing champion Manny Paquiao, the Warriors stand to repeat this season.
"Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos in the U.S. and even here, or maybe millions, are praying for another Warriors win and I believe they will," Pacquiao told this writer in a text message.
"Explainable naman yun. Kasi maraming pinasasaya ang Warriors kapag nanalo sila. At karamihan sa mga napapasaya nila ay mga Pilipino," Pacquiao, who has established a friendship with Curry who, at one time visited him while training at trainer Freddie Roach-owned Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, reasoned out.
For Filipino sport leaders and former and present day players, it's not the support alone of the Filipino fans that will carry the Warriors to a back-to-back championship which they are seeking against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team they beat in the Finals last year.
For Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco and his balae Robert "Sonny" Jaworski (the former's daughter Mikee is married to the latter's son Robert "Dodot" Jr.), it's coach Steve Kerr's chargers that will win.
"The Warriors might have been playing under pressure all season long this year in their effort to win 73 games and break the NBA record in the process. Then they had to win their last three games to make it to the finals, but still I like them because they really know how to win, " Cojuangco assessed. "And win big!"
Former senator and local basketball's 'living legend' Jaworski agreed, saying, "Inspite of the Cav's conmplete and healthy lineup, I pick GSW to collect its second consecutive crown. The primary reason is the Warriors have shown their commitment to win by the consistent decorum of team members, from the coaches, players and staff in every game."
"Other than their key player Curry, (Klay) Thompson, (Draymond) Green, (Andre) Bogut, expect to see good basketball from other members of the team, (Andre) Igoudola,(Harrison) Barnes, (Leandro) Barbosa ((Shaun) Livingston) and others to show the exemplary attitude, desire, team pride, mental toughness and philosophy they've been displaying from dhe elimination round to the playoffs," the former Ginebra San Miguel playing-coach said.
And that exactly was what Kerr and the Warriors just did in the opening game of their best-of-seven championship title series Friday at their home turf Oracle Arena where they routed the Cavs, 104-89, serving notice of what to come next time around.
Barring any major injury to the Warriors, Jaworski, the "Big J," or "Jawo" to fans, believe Golden State to settle the issue in six seven games.
"Homecourt advantage," PBA Commissioner's Cup champion Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said is another factor that might decide the outecome adding quickly though that "it's too close to call."
The Elasto Painter co-owners Raymond Yu and Terry Que, for their part, said "history is on the Warriors' side."
Another basketball great Jimmy Mariano and present day hero Ranidel de Ocampo both cheer for Golden State, too, on the strength of their coming from a 1-3 deficit in their Western Conference best-of-seven championship running roughshod against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Atoy Co of the famed Crispa Redmanizers believe otherwise, picking the Cavs simply because of what he claimed Cleveland stalwart LeBron James will not allow himself to be humiliated for the second time.
Photo: Golden State Warrior's Stephen Curry (C) poses with Manny Pacquiao's sons Michael and Jimwell. Photo by Anthony Rozic / PhilBoxing.com
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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