Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – The National Basketball Association’s (NBA) best player had some words of encouragement for Gilas Pilipinas.
Steph Curry arrived in Manila on Saturday (September 5) for a promotional tour of his signature shoe. The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, who is visiting the country for the first time, was in Japan yesterday and will be heading to China tomorrow after the Manila leg.
During the press conference, Curry — who plays guard for the U.S. national basketball team — was asked what advice he could give to Gilas Pilipinas.
“Go at it… don’t hold anything back. It’s an amazing opportunity that’s in front of you,” said Curry.
“Whatever style you play with, if you’re playing small ball, shooting a lot of threes, playing uptempo… embrace it.”
The Philippine national basketball team is currently in Taiwan for the Jones Cup, as part of their preparation for the upcoming FIBA Asia Championship in China late this month.
The winner of the tournament will earn an automatic slot to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“Play to the best of your abilities,” Curry added. “Show some heart and hopefully you achieve the goal that you set.”
Curry, meanwhile, admired how much passion Filipinos have for the game of basketball. He said he was “feeling the love in Manila.”
