LOS Angeles Lakers fan Jerald Acoba is $95,000 (roughly P4.7M) richer after he sank a half-court shot during the Lakers-Memphis Grizzlies game on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time.)
Acoba, a resident of Tulare, California who identifies himself as Filipino on his Instagram account, was pumped before the game for being selected to take part in the Aira Big Shot Jackpot between the third and the fourth quarters.
“So I just got picked to shoot the halfcourt shot at the Laker game today for $95,000.....no pressure. Wish me luck!” he posted on his Facebook page.
The 30-year-old Acoba showed some flair when he waved to the sold-out crowd before heaving the ball from halfcourt and raising his arms in celebration as the shot rattled in.
The arena erupted in cheers and applause as Acoba emulated D’Angelo Russell’s ‘ice in my veins’ celebration, as Lakers players Julius Randle, Nick Young, Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson and Russell himself walked over to congratulate the lucky prize winner.
Jerald Acoba, from Tulare, CA sinks the @arialv Big Shot Jackpot to take home $95,000! pic.twitter.com/ri3StX8vTm
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 4, 2017
It's the second time this season that a fan has won the jackpot after Travis Milne did the same and brought home $35,000 last November. The prize money snowballed after every miss, which is why it reached $95K for Acoba's attempt.
Asked what he would do with his prize, Acoba said he would buy his mom a new car to replace her old van.
“She’s always been there for me when I need her,” he said. “She’s always there to help me out. It’s my turn to repay my favor to her.”
“It’s surreal right now. I can’t believe it’s just happening right now,” added Acoba, who was accompanied by his wife Lenslie and their nieces.
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