Ex-Lakers star, lalaro sa Philippine pro team

UMUUSOK sa social media ang usap-usapan at samu’t saring komento nang i-post ni Lamar Odom – dating NBA star at bahagi ng dalawang kampeonato ng Los Angeles Lakers – ang larawan suot ang Mighty Sports Philippines jersey at pahayag nang pagbabalik laro matapos ang stroke at heart attack na muntik na niyang ikinamatay.

“I’d like to announce that I will be playing in The Dubai International Basketball Championship this February 1st 2019 !!!!!!! I will be representing team @mightysports_ph from the Philippines with my 4ever #7 ! To me this is a great warming up for the @thebig3 !! It’s been a minute since I’ve professionally competed and I hope to be as explosive as I used to be! I was hoping to be ready for the Chinese CBA earlier this year but I didn’t feel that I was physically were I wanted to be. ( yet) I needed more time to recover from my multiple strokes and hearts attacks. Im not giving up and going in full force !! Patience and moving FORWARD is KEY! Special thanks to @femaleagentsr@charlestiu for making me part of this amazing tournament in Dubai! #teamreyes! This wouldn’t be possible without the support of my kids,” pahayag ni Odom sa kanyang Instagram.

Mabilis naman ang ginawang kompirmasyon ni Might Sports team head coach Charles Tiu na bahagi ng koponan ang 40-anyos na si Odom sa pagsabak sa Dubai International Basketball Championship sa Pebrero.

“It’s real and it’s happening,” pahayag ni Tiu sa kanyang Facebook post.

Bukod kay Odom, bahagi ng Mighty Sports campaign ang beteranong Ginebra import na si Justin Brownlee, Marcus Douthit, Dominic McGuire at Hasheem Thabeet, kasama ang mga locals na sina JC Intal, Kiefer Ravena, Willie Miller at Jeron Ten, ngunit hindi naging matagumpay ang kampanya ng koponan.

Inaasahang darating sa bansa ang NBA veteran sa Enero 20.

“I am very happy to be given an opportunity to be able to represent the Philippines for this tournament,” pahayag ni Odom sa esklusibong panayam ng Manila Bulletin, sa pamamagitan ni international agent na si Sheryl Reyes.

“I can’t wait to meet my teammates and also meet my Filipino fans. It is an honor to be part of this tournament and representing the people of the Philippines,” aniya.

Kung sakali, ang torneo ang unang sasabakan ng two-time NBA champion mula nang -iwaived ng New York Knicks noong 2014. Bahagi siya ng Lakers championship noong 2009 at 2010. Naglaro rin siya sa US sa 2004 Olympics at the 2010 Fiba World Championship

“I am getting back to the game I love, I have not played in years but I feel very good I have been working out every day to get my strength and conditioning back and hopefully this tournament help me more for my come back,” pahayag ni Odom.

Inabot ng isang taon ang usapin sa pagbabalik aksiyon ni Odom at napagdesisyunan niya sa tulong ni Reyes na buhayina ng career sa Mighty Sports.

“I am very happy to be able to work with Lamar (Odom) I met him through (Stephon) Marbury, and I felt that I wanted to help him and be part of his process I like giving people chances for a comeback,” pahayag ni Reyes.

“I recommended him to Mighty Sports for the tournament and coach Charles like the idea. So, his management team worked with me to make it happen.”

Ayon kay Reyes, hindi rito natatapis ang plano ng dating Rhode Island Ram star dahil bukas umano ito sa suhestyon na maging import sa 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

“If everything ends well, remember he is 6’10”, I may bring him to the PBA,” sambit ni Reyes.

Ikinatuwa naman ni Mighty Sports team owner Caesar Wongchuking ang naging desisyon ni Odom at umaasa siyang mas mapapalakas ng koponan ang kampanya sa liga kumpara sa nakalipas na season kung saan nakapanalo lamang ng isa ang Mighty Sports.

“We welcome Mr. Lamar Odom to the Mighty Sports family,” sambit ni Wongchuking. “It’s a great honor to have such a great player to be part of our team representing the Philippines. My thanks to coach Charles Tiu and payer agent Sheryl Reyes,” aniya.

Plano rin ni Wongchuking na isama sa koponan ang collegiate stars na tulad nina La Salle’s Santi Santillan at UP’s Juan Gomez de Liano, gayundin sina Gab Banal at dating PBA star Joseph Yeo.

“We hope to add star power to the team because we have lots of fans in Dubai,” pahayag ni Wongchuking

-Ni ERNEST HERNANDEZ