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MANILA, Philippines — So used to playing the underdog role as a 6-foot-3 shooter in the NBA, Stephen Curry relates all too well to the against-the-odds struggle of Gilas Pilipinas.
The Philippine national men’s basketball team is the perpetual underdog whether it plays against the world’s top teams or against its Asian neighbors.
The reigning NBA MVP offered his advice to a Gilas squad bound for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship at the end of the month in China where they hope to win the gold and qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“Go at it. Don’t hold anything back. It’s an amazing opportunity that’s in front of you,” said the 27-year old who’s in Manila for the Under Armour Road Show on Saturday, September 5 at the Raffles Hotel in Makati.
“Whatever style you wanna play, whether it’s small ball or shooting a lot of 3s or playing up tempo, embrace it.”
“Play to the best of your ability. Show some heart and hopefully you’ll achieve whatever goal you’ve set – obviously qualifying for the Olympics,” he added. “Go at it. Have fun. Enjoy the process and leave it all on the floor.”
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Curry knows full well what it’s like to play for flag and country having won two FIBA World Cup gold medals with the USA team in 2010 and 2014. He also won a silver in 2007 at the FIBA U19 World Championship.
“It’s amazing,” he shared how he felt playing for his national team. “Whenever we go overseas or you tune up wearing your country’s colors and the name across your chest, it’s something that’s bigger than you.
“It’s a small group of people that I’m able to play with at that level and represent the country with and I’ve been fortunate to win two World Cup medals and hopefully we can do it again next summer in Rio.”
“When your whole country is behind you, there’s no greater feeling than that,” he added.
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The Golden State Warriors star point guard also shared his mindset when dealing with critics, especially after winning his first NBA title last June at the expense of the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers.
“It’s hard to argue with the year that we’ve had. I’ve never really listened to the critics it’s more of just the determination and passion to get better and achieve the goals that I’ve set for me now and that’s to do it all again because it was such a great feeling the first time,” he explained.
“I’ve been working all summer to get better because I feel like I haven’t reached my full potential yet. I rely on my teammates to go on that journey with me. I’m excited about this season.”
Curry is in Manila for a day as part of an Asian tour for his sponsor shoe brand. He is also promoting his new signature shoe, the Curry Two. The shoe will be launched in China on September 6.
Curry first visited Tokyo the day before and will move on to a 3-city trip in China. — Rappler.com
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