Emmanuel Ma. Abdiel R. del Mundo [Final]

             Basketball is a worldwide sport. The sport can be played by anyone. You just need a basketball and a ring to shoot the ball. But who is the best player that ever played the sport? For me, it is “His Airness” Michael Jordan. He flies and dunks the ball so hard but with grace. He can shoot the ball in any range and he can score even if the pressure is on. But of course, no one is perfect. He lost some games sometimes but he never gave up. His determination and passion for basketball made him the best player of basketball.

            Filipinos are one of hell basketball players. We play the sport with even no shoes on. We play in our backyard, in school and even on soil grounds. We just love basketball. We have passion in playing the sport. There is just something in us that no other races have. Even though we are short in height, we can compete internationally. One example was the most anticipated Fiba Asia Championships that was held here in the Philippines. The Smart Gilas Pilipinas got a record of 6 wins and 2 losses. We placed second in the tournament falling short to Team Iran in the Championship game. The Filipino fans were wild and every score and gore of the Team Philippines they were loud and screaming. We are inspired by the legendary players like Robert Jaworski, Benjie Paras and Michael Jordan. They were one of the greatest that ever played the sport. They inspired the players from the Philippines and around the globe. They have the skills and they have the passion. We will never be good at something if we are not passionate about what we are doing. Playing a sport that you love is just like playing a game in your backyard. I wonder how they condition themselves in every game. The crowd is loud, the lights are on them and everybody is watching them. I don’t know how they handle the pressure. That is why they are all my idols and inspirations. They love it when the pressure is on. It’s like their guts is there when they are in the game with all the pressure. Pressure from the crowd, pressure from the opponent and pressure from themselves. They are just so good you can’t ask for more.

            It’s just amazing how these athletes inspire the world when they are just like one of us. They are normal people with great and exciting lives.

[image is not mine]