Rose talks about career’s most memorable moment

MANILA, Philippines — Despite being the youngest NBA player to win the MVP award at 22 years old and being one of the league’s most admired superstars, Derrick Rose still looks back on a memory so special to him in high school.

It was a shot that will forever remain as one of his favorites.

Rose arrived in the country on Saturday, September 14 and was present during the adidas 3 on 3 Grand Finals on a rainy Sunday afternoon, September 15 before a smitten crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

READ: Derrick Rose arrives in Manila

“It feels great,” said the 24-year-old Chicago Bulls’ superstar. “It’s good to be back here.”

“I’ve been into countries I’ve never been to before and it’s a dream come true,” Rose added, referring to his adidas D-Rose tour that included stops in Japan, Hong Kong and China.

Asked by event hosts Sam YG, Tony Toni, and Slick Rick about what is his most memorable moment in his basketball career, Rose shared that his title-clinching jumper for the Simeon Career Academy Wolverines in high school is still the best.

“In high school, that was for the state championship,” quipped Rose, who later on played for the University of Memphis Tigers before being drafted first overall by the Bulls in 2008 en route to winning Rookie of the Year honors.

“I hit the game-winning shot.”

Thailand edges Arellano for crown

Meanwhile, Thailand turned to its imposing inside presence to nip hard-fighting Arellano High School, 11-9, to capture the D Rose adidas 3 on 3 title.

The Chiefs zoomed to a 4-1 lead early in the 10-minute, half-court game but their taller Thai opponents asserted their might inside against the mismatched Pinoys to rise from the jaws of defeat.

Arellano came to within 8-10 with 32.2 ticks remaining but lady luck did not smile on the Chiefs’ side, as they eventually fell short.

“I’m proud that we are champions,” said the Thai coach. “We worked really, really hard.”

Celebrities, PBA players add spice to D Rose tour

On the other hand, celebrities and PBA players also participated in the D Rose tour.

Brothers Phil and James Younghusband of the Philippine Azkals played in a shooting contest against no less than Rose and model Isabelle Daza.

Reigning PBA three-point king Chris Tiu of Rain or Shine scored 15 points in the three-point shootout to beat Ginebra’s Josh Urbiztondo and Rose, who both came up with 10.

The Thailand trio teamed up with Rose and trounced the triumvirate of Tiu, Urbiztondo and JC Intal, 11-9.

The PBA players raced to a 5-1 cushion early in the game before Rose blew by Intal for a highlight-reel reverse layup that started a crippling run and rifled in three triples (equivalent to two points) to overcome a slow start and pulled the rug from under the PBA players.

“I’ll be back soon,” stressed Rose.

Watch: One-on-one with Derrick Rose

“Mahal ko kayo.”

Rose caps his second visit to this basketball-mad country by appearing in a press conference Monday, September 16 at the Mall of Asia Arena in the morning before playing in a video game tournament at the MOA Atrium.– Rappler.com