By REYNALD MAGALLON
NBA great Derrick Rose savored the experience and the love from his fans in his return to Manila – 12 years since his last visit – for his Rose Above the Odds event at the One Ayala Mall in Makati City on Thursday, Sept. 18.
The 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player gamely interacted and took pictures with the fans and signed jerseys and other NBA memorabilias during the event where he was also introduced as the newest ambassador of ArenaPlus.
He also shared the court and played fun games with local basketball heroes like RJ Abarrientos and Scottie Thompson as well as internet impersonators of NBA stars Lebron James, Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic and Jordan Clarkson.
Looking at the fans who continued to shower their support at Rose even after announcing his retirement, the high-flying guard couldn’t help but recall his fondest memories in Manila when he first visited the country in 2011 and in 2013.
“We had an experience going in the park, nobody was in the park that time, just the three of us working out, playing one-on-one. But at the end of that session we had like hundreds of people following us in the park,” Rose recalled.
“So that was love right there that I am still receiving right now,” he added of the support of the Filipinos who serenaded him with MVP chants.
Although one of the best players of his time, Rose, was known for his inspiring stories of resilience and overcoming adversities especially during his career that was hampered by numerous injuries.
And dealing with such failures and shortcoming is what the 36-year-old NBA great shared to his Filipino fans
“Whatever you are in right now, I know it is hard especially when you are starting your craft, trying to figure out your craft. You will have a lot of failures because you are trying to figure things out,“ said Rose.
“But at the same time, it is your perspective on it that you got to go through that process early on before you can get into greatness because you cannot rush it,“ he added.
As for his partnership with ArenPlus, Rose said he and the company simply shared the same values.
“It is also about associating yourself with the best too and that is why we are here with ArenaPlus. It means a lot. It plays off where my principles are – playing responsibly, having discipline and you want to make sure to have fun too – that is what I want to be a part of,“ he added.
