Kobe Bryant back in Manila, pitches Phl teamwork to ensure good showing in World Cup in Spain

PASAY CITY — Teamwork would well make a difference in making the Philippines national basketball team put up a good showing at next year’s FIBA World Cup in Spain.
This was stressed by basketball star Kobe Bryant after arrival in Manila to endorse Lenovo’s flagship K900 smartphone at the Maxim’s Hotel in Resorts World, Pasay City.
Asked on the Philippines chances during the press conference, Bryant said he likes the Filipinos’ passion when it comes to basketball.
He added Asians are doing well in basketball.

On Sunday, the Philippine national team landed runner-up to Iran, making them one of the three countries to represent Asia in the 2014 FIBA World Cup together with third placer South Korea, PNA’s Luis Morente reported.
To put the Philippines back in the world basketball map, Bryant has this advice: “It is how well you blend together to be a team. More important than anything else is the teamwork.”
The Los Angeles Lakers guard is trying to recover from an Achilles heel injury he sustained in the playoffs of the National Basketball Association earlier this year.
Bryant said his team is currently in focus to nail another championship despite being hobbled by injuries last NBA season.
“Hopefully, it is not so tough this year,” Bryant said.
Bryant inspired others not to quit which he sees as a “sign of weakness.”
To recover from injury, Bryant said his hunger for excellence makes him push himself to get things accomplished .
“I’m pretty ahead of schedule. I’m training non-stop,” he said.
In case he retires from professional basketball, Bryant said he wants to leave a legacy “as a person who maximizes his potential and time.”
Bryant was also asked what are his top three wishes: “It is winning a sixth ring, second topmost is winning a sixth ring, and third is winning a sixth ring.” 
Bryant arrived on a private plane. His flight was to touch down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at around 1 am, but bad weather delayed his flight and landed in Manila at around 3:30 am.
Bryant’s appearance at SM MOA is originally set at 10:30 but was moved later in the day.
This is the sixth time Bryant visited Manila. Once for Adidas, three times for Nike, and the last time was in 2011 when he was together with a group of young National Basketball Association.