After wrapping up his Asian Tour, which started off in Manila, Kobe Bryant returned to the Philippines to compete as Player-Coach in a charity game against some of the country’s best. Playing in back-to-back games with Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, James Harden, Tyreke Evans, JaVale McGee, Derrick Williams, and good friend Derek Fisher, the stars were out to shine in front of the Filipino crowd. But despite a star-studded cast, the completely sold out two-day event had all eyes on the Black Mamba.
Both games were for the benefit of the Manuel V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, which it built to support the Philippine athletes. With two games that were held in a jam-packed arena, Bryant and the rest definitely helped out a whole lot.
The first game was against the All-Star line-up of the Philippine Basketball Association, while the second was against the Smart Gilas Pilipinas (Philippine National Team). Both games, which were a highlight reels waiting to happen, resulted in wins for the Kobe Bryant-led team that was hearing chants of “Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!” all game long.
