NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns of the Dominican Republic during a game against Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
BOCAUE — Karl-Anthony Towns expressed his respect to Gilas Pilipinas after pushing him and the Dominican Republic to their limits in the Fiba World Cup 2023 opener on Friday at the Philippine Arena.
The three-time NBA All-Star delivered 26 points and 10 rebounds as the Dominicans withstood the gritty Filipinos, 87-81, in his first national team game after 10 years before a historic 38,115 fans, who set a new Fiba World Cup attendance record.
Towns and his team may have been on the receiving end of boos at the 55,000-capacity arena but he lauded the Filipino culture.
“Everyone on their team is just hardworking people and they played really hard. So shout out to them,” Towns told reporters. “That’s the Filipino culture hardworking people who do what they love. So I really respect everyone and respect the opportunity.”
Although it was his first time to come to Manila, the 7-foot Minnesota Timberwolves star is already aware of how passionate the Filipinos are, through his best friend, who was born in General Santos City.
Karl Anthony Towns against Filipino defenders in the FIba World Cup opener. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“It’s amazing. You know, I’ve never been here. I’ve told everyone I was dying to come out here, I didn’t know it would be through basketball. So, super excited to be here. The fans have been nothing but amazing to us,” Towns said when asked about playing a record-breaking crowd.
“The people are amazing. I’ve grown up with one of my best friends who is heavy into the Philippine culture, born here in General Santos City.”
“I’m very very proud to be a Dominican to be here with a win but also being very proud to meet all the fans here, all the great fans here in the Philippines, and be able to tell them salamat, mabuhay,” he added.
After surviving the gallant stand of Gilas, led by Jordan Clarkson and big men June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu, Towns said the Dominicans are just getting started in the World Cup as they shift their focus on Italy on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It’s a great win. It’s the first game in the World Cup so any game here is gonna be tough. Being able to get the win in any sort of circumstances is always great,” he said.
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