While most of his teammates were bathing in excitement in the dugout in anticipation of the PBA All-Star Game, Chris Newsome, a first-timer in the main event of the festivities and supposedly the most excited among them all, took time to go out and leave their waiting room.

Chris Newsome takes time to pose for photos with the young and budding basketball players of Passi (PBA Images)

Back out there in the hard court, eight young and aspiring PBA players are grinding it out for the title in the local 3x3 tournament that PBA had organized for Passi City. The Brgy. Mambiranan Terrafirma Dyip were dominating Brgy. Ilawod Blackwater Bossing.

Newsome curiously sat at the sidelines and observed from a distance, seeing all the overflowing passion from the players taking a glimmer of the spotlight all focused on the biggest PBA stars.

The earlier trailing Bossing completed a huge comeback, a thrilling finish to a hard-fought battle that pulled even Newsome to congratulate them and give them high-fives.

It was easy for Newsome to stay in the locker room and wait for his name to be called out for the main attraction, but he went out there to give the young players a tap on the back for a job well done. It was a simple gesture from the Bolts star but certainly a big thing for the players who wanted to be like them.

“Mas malaki yung experience at yung kaba na maglaro diyan nakakapressure, big factor na makapasok dito at makasama sila sa laro. Malaki sa pangarap ko na makita sila sa personal tsaka malapit na sa paningin na makakalaro namin,” said Marvin Panes who nailed the game-clinching deuce that completed the Bossing comeback.

“I'm sure they watch us on TV all the time and to actually see us in person it's actually great experience for them and I understand that, which is why I took the time to go out there took pictures with them, say hi because that maybe something that could change the course of their lives and how they look at us PBA players,” explained the Bolts guard.

For Newsome, he sees a lot of himself in these budding basketball players especially during his own humble beginnings, also dreaming and wanting to become a professional someday.

“I think all of us here, all of us all-stars here all came from humble beginnings and we all have our own story and you just never know how it plays out how life plays out of course I want to encourage them,” said Newsome who also found success not just in the PBA but also as part of the national team in 3x3 and 5-on-5.

Talent is certainly not lacking in the grassroots according to Newsome and the quality of the 3x3 game was a proof of that. He, however, believes that these young players need the right opportunity and influence to keep on dreaming.

“What I saw was a lot of heart, puso is a big thing for us here in the Philippines so I definitely saw that, it's present with these kids. You can tell that they love the game, they love to play the game and they have the passion for it and the skillset for it. If they have discipline and they continue working hard, anything is possible,” said Newsome.

“They keep working every single day, keep trying their best and surround themselves with good people, have a good influence that will help you and bring you to where you want to go and the right direction,” Newsome said as a parting words to the young players.

“I just want to be a great influence and I hope that this experience and interaction will help them and motivate them to try to reach their best,” he added.