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Friday, March 29, 2024

Pope Francis, Pinoys share love for basketball

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WE all know that United States President Barack Obama loves to play basketball  and is an avid fan of the Chicago Bulls in the National Basketball Association.

Pope Francis and US President Barack Obama both played
basketball during their younger days

But Obama, who played basketball for the Punahou High School squad in Hawaii, isn't the only the world leader enamored with the hoops game.

You can count among them recent visitor Pope Francis who once played the game as a young boy.

The pope,  then known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio. played pick-up basketball in sandlots with friends during his younger days.

On learning this,  Filipino basketball living legend  Robert “Big J” Jaworski, said the Pope’s visit to the country should be considered as a wonderful coincidence since Filipinos are known for their passion for the sport of basketball.

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“What a wonderful coincidence that our Pope, being an ex-basketball player, is visiting a country where basketball is the main sport,” Jaworski said.

“This is, perhaps, because his Holiness believes that sport is among a short list of worthwhile activities that one can indulge in for its broad contribution to one’s total well-being.”

“An exhilarating experience for all those involved (in the Apostolic visit) when appropriately implemented, to achieve excellence thru sports and in sports and, most importantly Goodwill to Men,'' added Jaworski,  the playing-coach of the hugely-popular Ginebra San Miguel team in the Philippine Basketball Association.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud, for his part, said Pope Francis,  being a former basketball player, “endears him even more to our countrymen, if that is still at all possible.”

“I am not surprised that he (the Pope) played basketball as most seminarians play the sport,” Ramon Fernandez, Jaworski’s former teammate with the legendary Toyota and the 1973 national team,  the last all-Filipino (sans Fil-foreign players) to win the Asian Confederation crown, said.

‘Ang masasabi ko lang, bilang isang dating atleta, minamahal ni Pope ang kapuwa niya at minamahal din naman siya ng Diyos. Pope Francis personifies humility,” PH 1973 team skipper Jimmy Mariano and now Pasig City Vice Mayor Rosalio “Yoyong” Martires said for his part.

“Having played basketball, the People’s Pope brings honor to all players and fans, he being one of them,” Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chair Rickie Vargas said.

Philippine Olympian Association president Art Macapagal said he now understands why the Pope can easily relate easily with so many people. “I will never forget his powerful message that we are never alone. That Jesus and Mama Mary are always with us.”

Rain or Shine team owner Raymund Yu admitted didn't know that Pope Francis played basketball, but surmised that the pointiff 'must have played like Manu Ginobili,” referring to the Argentine, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA.

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