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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Dirk Nowitzki amused by Filipinos' love and warm welcome

Dirk Nowitzki amused by Filipinos' love and warm welcome

Published May 1, 2023 01:52 am
NBA legend and soon-to-be Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki was celebrated like a rockstar by the ever hospitable and basketball-loving Filipino fans.

*Dirk Nowitzki takes selfies with Filipino fans. (Arnold Quizol)

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Showered with love and admiration from the fans who have been long supporting him from the other side of the globe even when he was still playing in the NBA, Nowitzki was simply in awe with his interaction with the Filipinos during his stay in the country over the weekend. “Amazing. I met so many fans and supporters here in the last few days. You know, I knew the Philippines loves basketball but I didn’t know it was this crazy. I mean, everybody loves hoops, loves the Mavericks, loves the NBA, it means a lot,” said Nowitzki who was present at the Smart Araneta Coliseum during the 2023 FIBA World Cup draw. Nowitzki took time and gamely interacted with the fans who patiently waited outside the Big Dome to get to witness the towering NBA players like Yao Ming and Luis Scola who also attended the event. The German legend who also serves as a member of the FIBA Central Board and Chair of the FIBA Players’ Commission said also enjoyed his brief tour in Tagaytay City where he also got a view of Taal Volcano. Nowitzki said it was overall a "special" experience for him and can’t wait for the rest of the participating teams in the World Cup to also experience the warm reception from the Filipino fans. “It’s been humbling to see. It’s my first time ever here, but people have followed my career from that far away without ever getting to see a game. This is really special,” Nowitzki said of his Filipino fans.

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