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Walang Iwanan: Kobe Bryant in Manila 2013

I am a Lakers fan, so when news came out that Kobe Bryant was visiting Manila again to promote Lenovo smartphones, my editor here on Yahoo! Sports PH, Sid Ventura, gave me the assignment to attend the press conference. Sid, a diehard Boston Celtic fan, obviously did not care much for the event. Thanks, Sid! (Editor's note: I already met Kobe in 2011. I figured you would want to attend this time. :-p - Sid)

August 12, 2013 was the date, and the people of Lenovo set the presscon at Resorts World Manila for 11:30 a.m. However, due to the bad weather, Kobe’s party flew into Manila several hours delayed, thus prompting the organizers to move the presscon supposedly to 1:30 p.m. Too bad for some members of the press that didn’t get the rescheduling notice, some of them were there for the earlier schedule and just had to wait it out. Unfortunately for everybody, the later schedule did not proceed as scheduled either. Nevertheless, most press people waited. And waited. And waited.

When host Anthony Suntay at 3:05 p.m. declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, Kobe Bryant!”, everyone jockeyed for position, ready with cameras in hand, to catch a glimpse of one of the greatest basketball players to ever lace them up. Sadly, there must have been a miscommunication, because Kobe did not appear. In fact, he did not appear until about forty minutes later, about quarter to 4:00 p.m., and, despite the arduous wait, to the cheers, applause, and shrieks (mostly from the ladies, but I’m sure there were some guys who couldn’t help it) of those present.

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During the long, agonizing wait, we were at least treated to a sumptuous meal, and Lenovo raffled off several mobile phones, some tumblers, and two basketballs signed by Kobe. Sports commentator Chino Trinidad was among the winners of the mobile phones (and refused to waive the prize!), while former Letran Knight Kevin Alas, one of the pre-event contest winners who would get the chance to meet Kobe, was interviewed by Anthony, among others. Despite the Lenovo tagline, Walang iwanan (No leaving behind.), some press people actually did leave, unable to wait any longer or needing to attend to some other matter, but as I said, almost everyone stayed.

When Kobe emerged, he was wearing a black shirt (Of course! He’s the Black Mamba!) and shades, all smiles, waving at the crowd. When he took off his dark glasses and took the stage, it became very clear to me why fans love him and how he endears himself to the adoring crowd. His smile is magnetic, contagious, can light up a room and immediately put everyone at ease.

It’s a complete contrast to the serious, stoic demeanor of many visitors from the NBA, and to the gameface Kobe puts on when trying to kill the opponent on the court. Quickly, everyone forgot about the (very) delayed entrance, and when Kobe addressed the room, he talked about loving Manila and being glad to be back. Anthony rapid-fired questions at Kobe, which the press people had written on sheets of paper earlier, and he answered in quick succession, with topics ranging from his relationship with Lenovo (they share the passion in what they have to offer), his desire for a sixth championship ring (the “top 3” things on his wishlist), the desired health and chemistry of the Lakers this coming season (something they lacked last year), and his rehabilitation from the injury he suffered last season (doing very well, ahead of schedule).

He mentioned that his love for the Philippines is rooted in the passion that Filipinos show for basketball. He said that Gilas Pilipinas has to keep playing together since the strength in team sports comes not from any one player, but from how all the players help each other and work as one. Any team that can play defense and rebound, Kobe said, has a chance. As for all that doubt his ability to come back from his injury, he said that he looks at all doubters as people with a weakness, such that, if they were faced with a situation like his, they would give up.

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In the course of answering the questions, Kobe occasionally naturally mentioned Lenovo mobile phones, keeping in tune with the reason why he was here in the Philippines. This was not the usual basketball event, but a Lenovo-sponsored promotional appearance.

Abruptly, Anthony announced that that would be all for the questions, and called all the contest winners forward to have a picture with Kobe. One lucky fan who got that chance goes by the given name “Kobe Bryant Pe”, who said he was born in 1998. Yup, his parents must’ve been really solid Kobe fans in the early Kobe years.

Just like that, after only twenty minutes, the NBA superstar was up and out of the room, heading to a bunch of other commitments/appearances on a very wet, rainy day. He was scheduled to appear at the Mall of Asia Arena about two hours after the presscon, and, I understand, was going to grant a couple of interviews in the time in between. I heard he was flying out that very same evening, not even staying overnight. Short as his appearance may have been, and coming after the crowd had waited for hours, the people still seemed pleased and thankful for the opportunity to have seen the man, one of the greatest of all-time, and hear his thoughts on many topics. It seems, for most, he was worth the wait.

You can follow Charlie on Twitter @CharlieC.