By Venancio Valencia, Jr.
MINNESOTA - Hours after his team's stinging Game 5 elimination loss to the Dallas Mavericks last Friday, Karl-Anthony Towns was huddling with his friends outside the media work room of the Target Center.
Although the league mandated media availability session was over by then, the 7-foot All-Star, who signed a $224-million contract extension with the Timberwolves last July 22, was kind enough to grant an interview to SPIN.ph.
"Oh, it’s amazing. That’s the guy right there, that’s the legend," Towns said when asked about his visit with boxing great Manny Pacquiao last September.
"He’s amazing, he’s really good, so much ability, so humble. To have such a legend like that regardless if it’s the Philippines or America, we’re talking one of the greatest sports legends of all time, not only for the great place like the Philippines…But also just the humility he has for people, I mean, just shows the Philippine culture," Towns continued.
During the FIBA World Cup 2023 where he played for the Domincan Republic, Gilas almost scored an upset before losing in heart-breaking fashion, 87-81.
Towns led the Dominicans in that duel with 26 points, but he said he wasn't surprised how close that contest was.
"No! I have friends that are from General Santos. If I know anything about Filipinos, it’s that they move quick and they’re super talented. Just because maybe they don't have notoriety that some other countries have and stuff, don’t mean that that talent is not world-class. They’re some of the best people I’ve known, some of the best athletes I known. I was just honored to play."
Despite Minnesota's failed attempt to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, Towns had a very successful playoffs run, averaging 19.1 points and 9 rebounds to help the Timberwolves return to the West Finals for the first time since 2004.
Gilas,meanwhile, heads to Latvia for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
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