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    Fil-Am Kelli Hayes, whose mom is from Tondo, tries to boost Perlas post

    Fil-Am standout Kelli Hayes finally joins Perlas Pilipinas
    Apr 30, 2019
    PHOTO: gerry ramos

    THE scorching weather and notorious Manila traffic were among the things that easily caught the attention of Fil-Am cager Kelli Hayes upon arriving in the country over the weekend.

    “Mainit, so hot,” she said. “And I thought Los Angeles traffic was bad, but this worse.”

    “But it’s OK, I’ll be fine.”

    That’s enough to warm her up as she began training with the Perlas Pilipinas team in a bid to make the roster for the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games.

    The former UCLA stalwart had her first practice with the national team on Monday and then got her first taste of action when the Filipina cagebelles played against the University of Physical Education, considered as the top college team in Hungary Tuesday night at the Aero Sports Center.

    Although seeing action in only their first organized game together, Hayes was quick to endear herself with Perlas Pilipinas, which went to beat the visitors by four points.

    “They’re good. I know we have some gaps where we need to rebound better especially myself. We have some lazy possessions, but that’s going to happen. It’s my first time to play and all of us are trying to get in shape playing with each other, understanding each other,” she said.

    “It’s our first time playing together, so I’m excited to see what’s going to happen (in the future).”

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      Hayes, whose mother side (Inciong) is from Tondo, described her teammates as awesome.

      “They’ve been teaching me a lot. They’ve been helpful, and they know how to play with each other. So I’m here trying to be the best teammate that I can be, filling in the gaps that may be needed to be filled, learning from them and just trying to help bring value from whatever I can,” said the 6-foot-1 cager, a former starter with the Lady Bruins.

      One by one, Hayes said she’s trying to learn the names of her teammates.

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      “I’m getting there. I have half the girls down, and half more to go,” she said giggling.

      Although born in California, Hayes had visited the country a lot of times during her childhood and early teens.

      She admitted not being fond staying in Tondo during her previous stays.

      “Growing up that’s where we would stay and I didn’t like it,” she said laughing.

      “But now I understand. It’s OK, it’s family,” said Hayes, who visited Tondo on Monday.

      And just like any other Fil-Am kid, Hayes admitted being fond of Filipino foods.

      And her favorite?

      “Dinuguan, kare-kare, chicharon bulaklak, crispy pata. I eat everything,” she added with a laugh.

      Shortly after Perlas Pilipinas’ game against the visiting Hungarian college team, long-time patron Dioceldo Sy of Ever Billena treated the national squad to a sumptuous dinner.

      The food served though, were Chinese dishes.

      Nonetheless, Hayes still had a hearty meal.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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      PHOTO: gerry ramos
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