NO homecourt advantage in the NBA Finals? No problem for Valenzuela City.
Two playing courts bearing the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat images have long been constructed in the city which prides itself as the ‘basketball capital of the Philippines.’
Naturally, signs and posters of support hang outside the two facilities heading to Game One of the best-of-seven series starting on Wednesday in Lake Buena Vista, Florida (Thursday, Manila time).
The COVID-19 pandemic has the NBA doing away with its home-and-away format, with the entire playoffs and the end part of the eliminations played inside a bubble at the Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
The Finals atmosphere is just as alive in Valenzuela with the way folks at the two barangays have shown their support to both the Lakers and the Heat.
The House of Kobe, inaugurated on the eve of the great Kobe Bryant’s tragic death in January, is situated at Barangay Karuhatan, while the Red Rockies is the Heat-inspired court located at Mapulang Lupa.
In big, bold letters were the words ‘LET’S GO LAKERS! ONE FOR KOBE!’ hanging prominently on top outside of the House of Kobe. A large photo of LA superstars Lebron James and Anthony Davis are also in place, with the picture of the late Bryant put in between the two current generation of Lakers.
Meanwhile, a large image of Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is seen at the entrance of the Red Rockies, with words of support wishing Miami good luck in the finals, complete with the hashtag #PinoyPride. The mother of the Miami coach is a Filipina, Elisa Celino from San Pablo, Laguna.
“Good luck to both teams,” said Congressman Eric Martinez, who represents the 2nd District of Valenzuela at the House of Representatives and the brainchild behind the construction of NBA team-inspired playing courts around the city.
Martinez is an avid Kobe fan but is proud seeing a fellow Filipino guide his underdog team to the Big Stage.
“Valenzuela City, the Basketball Capital of the Philippines, is ready for the NBA Finals 2020,” said Martinez in his Instagram caption.
Four other NBA-themed courts had been launched in Valenzuela the past few years, namely, Thoa Wild Center (Chicago Bulls inspired court in Gen. T De Leon), Shamrock Garden (Boston inspired in Barangay Ugong), Rock Arena (Houston inspired in Barangay Bagbaguin), and Cubs Center (Spurts inspired in Barangay Maysan).
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