Jaworski tells PHL cagers: Go out for people and country 

QUEZON CITY – “You can do it, go for it for yourself and out our people and country.”
This was the inspiring message imparted by basketball’s living legend Robert Jaworski to members of the Philippine basketball team that will be vying for top honors in the FIBA-Asia Championship scheduled to open at the Mall of Asia Arena.

In a surprise visit to the Gilas-Pilipinass’ practice session  at the Moro Lorenzo gym inside the Ateneo campus in Quezon City, Jaworski, mainstay of the national squad that regained the Asian Basketball Confederation crown the last time the country hosted the biennial championship 40 years ago, urged the Nationals to “believe in yourself, and enjoy the game,” PNA’s Eddie G. Alinea reported.
“Make this great opportunity given you to be great,” he stressed.
He said: “Remember, life is about memories, good and bad. This is your chance to make good memories, grab it, treasure it.”
“The highest point in my basketball career is representing the county in international competitions. It’s a rare privilege,” he said.
He added: “In the coming FIBA-Asia you will be the most visible personalities, not only in this country. It’s an international event that gives you a chance to represent the country in the world championship, too.
“The Olympics is coming, maybe you can also put the country back in the Olympics again,” he said.
“Actually, no one invited me to come here. I came here because I wanted to try out for the team,” he added.
“Kidding aside, I came here because I treasure the opportunity to see you. As you know, I am also a product of basketball that the passion for the game is still there.,” Jaworski said.
“Also, I wanted to convey to you the message of thousands upon thousands of basketball enthusiast all over the country – professionals, amateurs playing in the UAAP and even in barangays – who want to wish you the best,” he said.
Jaworski, with the Narciso Bernardo, was named to the Asian Mythical Selection after the 1967 edition of the then Asian Basketball Confederation.
Head coach Chot Reyes and members of the coaching staff – Jong Uichico, Norman Black and Ryan Gregorio – as well as team manager Butch Antonio welcomed Jaworski’s unannounced visit as an honor to them and members of the team.
“We are honored to have him (Jaworski) here,” Reyes said even as he told his boys to “go out there and have fun.”
“It is an honor for us to be visited by the living legend, who made a very inspiring talk,” Uichico said in a statement shared by Gregorio, who added, “He really conducts himself like a true statesman. His message came from the heart. I had goose bumps just by listening to him.
“Sen. Jaworski is the testament of our country’s rich tradition and history in basketball. We are honored by his visit.,” Antonio said. (PNA)