HOW far Meralco import Brian Butch is willing to become a naturalized Filipino player?
So far in his brief stay here in the country, Butch said he tried getting accustomed to Filipinos’ way of life, including eating the famous delicacy balut.
The 6-foot-10 import recalled teammate Gary David made him eat the notorious fodder among foreigners as it is made up of an aborted duck embryo which is boiled over before being eaten.
“I try a little bit of chicken adobo and then I eat balut. It tasted good but, and there’s a big but, I ate it all, and that maybe the last time,” Butch shared to a few sports scribes shortly after scoring 42 points and grabbing 24 rebounds in leading the Bolts to a 104-99 win against Globalport.
The 29-year-old Appleton, Wisconsin native said seeing the feathers from the cracked egg made him decide not to eat it ever again.
“I told Gary (David) I try anything, but I try only once. So I was cracking the egg open, then saw a couple of feathers. But I still ate it,” he said before bursting to laughter.
Butch earlier said he’s very much interested of becoming naturalized and playing for the Philippine team, having been considered for the spot during the time of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman with Smart Gilas.
The country is Butch’s fourth overseas basketball stint, having played in China, Greece, and Puerto Rico over the last six years professionally.
“I’m open to eat any Filipino food because every time I travel to different countries, I try anything. But I may eat it (balut) only one time.
“And that by far is it, without a doubt (the worst food I ate),” said the former Wisconsin standout with a smile.
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