Nais ni Dwight Howard na bigyan ng titulo ang mga Filipino fans sa kanyang pagsabak sa Strong Group sa 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship simula ngayong Biyernes sa Al Nasr Stadium sa Dubai.
Sinabi ng 38-anyos na si Howard na determinado siyang manalo ng korona sa Dubai para sa mga Pinoy, na sumusuporta sa kanya mula noong sumabak siya sa National Basketball Association bilang isang high school phenom noong 2004 hanggang sa paglalaro ng kanyang huling laro sa Los Angeles Lakers noong 2022.
Si Howard ay hindi estranghero sa Pilipinas.
Una siyang nakarating sa Maynila noong 2005 kasama ang isa pang dating NBA star sa Luke Walton para sa isang promotional tour bago naglaro para sa Houston Rockets nang labanan nila ang Indiana Pacers sa NBA Global Games sa Mall of Asia Arena noong 2013.
“What made me say yes? At first, I thought it was Jollibee, but now it’s just the fans. It’s amazing. This is my third time here, and it’s always fun to come to the Philippines,” sabi ni Howard
“I have some Filipino friends in the States, so being able to come here and represent the Philippines is a great honor, I take pride in it,” dagdag niya.
Dagdag niya, nag-e-enjoy siyang maglaro sa ilalim ng Strong Group head coach na si Charles Tiu at Australia national team tactician Brian Goorjian, isang bronze medalist sa Tokyo Olympics.
“Coach Brian brings a lot of energy every day in practice. (He is) one of the Australian legends of basketball. I love the energy that he brings, the passion that he brings to the game and the knowledge that he brings to the game,” sabi ni Howard.
“Charles is very much a student of the game as well. He’s a lot younger than I, but for him to be a head coach and for him to do what he’s done with basketball and bring the guys here and expand the game in the Philippines and worldwide, it’s very amazing. So, I’m happy to be a part of that,” dagdag niya.
Bukod kay Howard, bahagi rin ng Strong Group sina dating Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche, dating Oklahoma City Thunder defensive ace Andre Roberson at dating TNT Tropang Giga import McKenzie Moore.
Makakasama nila ang mga manlalaro ng College of Saint Benilde na sina Justine Sanchez, Tony Ynot at Allen Liwag gayundin ang De La Salle University stars Francis Escandor at University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player Kevin Quiambao kasama sina JD Cagulangan at Justin Baltazar bilang bahagi ng support crew.
