FOR many Filipino basketball fans, Chanatip Jakrawan is without a doubt the most hated man in Thailand.
Who would forget this flamboyant Thai big man who not only became a headache of Gilas Pilipinas in the paint during the last 33rd Southeast Asian Games, he is best remembered for his taunting antics against the Philippine squad.
But interestingly, Jakrawan told SPIN.ph that he has long been a PBA fan.
And his favorite team? The San Miguel Beermen.
“I have been watching the PBA as long as I can remember. I watch PBA games on Facebook. I share them especially the games of San Miguel. Yeah, yeah, I love that team,” said Jakrawan, who claimed to have even forged friendships with some players from the Philippine pro league.
READ Gilas 3x3 bid for Asian Beach Games gold ended by Thailand
“Seriously, I love San Miguel. Even if I am friends with Brandon (Ganuelas-Rosser), the [TNT] big man, we played 3x3 last time in Vietnam,” he added. “I know the Philippines is very, very good in basketball. I love the Philippines. I share games of the PBA.”
Pressed if he is familiar with any player from San Miguel and the PBA, Jakrawan, without batting an eyelash, he rattled off some names.
“I like June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar. Fajardo, he is really a big guy, good move and I also like Japeth Aguilar, he is very agile,” the 6-foot-8 slotman said. “I am very happy to watch the games of the PBA."
When the talk shifted to the comments from angry Filipino fans who crucified him online, Jakrawan’s mood suddenly changed.
Not that he's bothered by it.
“Oh, the comments against me from the PBA, even the memes, I can see a lot. But it’s okay. I just play, watch, be happy and enjoy (the game). That’s it,” he said. "I don’t care. I still love the Philippines, I will always love the Philippines."
And how was the pain of losing in the gold-medal game of the last Southeast Asian Games men's basketball competition before home fans to Gilas last December? Is it still haunting him?
“I lost to them right, but I am very happy to play (against and) with them, the Filipinos,” he said. “The last time we lost in Thailand, I (keep on seeing) the comments, but it’s okay. They treat me a good guy or a bad guy, it’s okay. I don’t worry about that.
Jakrawan shows PH love
"Regardless of what they say and how they call me, I still love the Philippines,” added the 29-year olf former New Taipei import in the T1 League.
Jakrawan and some members of Thailand's silver medal-winning SEA Games team got a measure of revenge by beating Gilas in 3x3 basketball at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, but the Thai star said it wasn't about getting even.
“No, it’s not revenge. It’s not like that. We just came out and play our best because we know we’re playing a young yet very strong team,” he said of Thailand’s close 20-18 win over a young Gilas 3x3 side in the Sanya semifinals.
“They’re young, they play hard. They have good energy. I love the game and I love playing against them,” he added.
And his message to Filipino cage fans?
“Hi Philippines, I love you,” said Jakrawan before doing the traditional Thai ‘wai’, pressing his palms together at the forehead level while bowing his head.
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