Former NBA All-Star, Richard “Rip” Hamilton, recently graced the basketball scene in Manila, turning his visit into an unforgettable experience.
Standing at 6’7” and known for his impactful role as a shooting guard for multiple NBA teams, Hamilton initially arrived to attend the NBA 3X Philippines Invitational and the inaugural NBA Fan Month.
His journey took an unexpected turn, though, when he secured a front-row seat for Game 3 of the 86th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball finals held recently at the Araneta Coliseum.
“I got to hang out with some special kind of fans. So, my time here in Manila was truly amazing,” said Hamilton, reflecting on the atmosphere of Game 3, which drew a record crowd of 25,192.
The game witnessed the Green Archers clinch their 10th title after a seven-year gap, defeating the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
Being a former shooting guard, Hamilton found joy in appreciating the strategic moves of the Green Archers, particularly through their point guard Evan Nelle, in a face-off against UP’s guard, JD Cagulangan.
His basketball insights were not confined to the stands as he was invited by the Filipinas Live broadcast team to share his expertise on live TV and live stream.
Reflecting on this new experience, Hamilton expressed admiration for the broadcasting team and considered the possibility of venturing into sports commentary in the future.
“They did a great job. I’m used to being with point guards. And they did a great job of setting me up every time,” he remarked.
The thrill of the game brought back fond memories for Hamilton, who played college basketball for the University of Connecticut, winning the NCAA Division 1 championship in 1999.
His contributions were later recognized when the Detroit Pistons retired his iconic jersey number 32 in February 2017.
Hamilton, known for his stints with the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and Chicago Bulls, reminisced about the pinnacle of his NBA career in 2004 when the Pistons secured the championship.
In the UAAP finals, the Green Archers, a formidable force since 1986, secured their 10th championship, with Season MVP Kevin Quiambao delivering standout performances, exceeding his season averages.
Hamilton’s visit to Manila celebrated basketball excellence and sparked his thoughts of a potential future in sports commentary.
