22
22
Philippine Showbiz Today
United States First Lady Melania Trump , celebrities , NBA players and even media men came in defense of LeBron James against insulting statements after from American President Donald Trump .
Melania Trump said , The Guardian reported from New York and New Orleans , “ James appeared to be doing ‘ good things on behalf of our next generation .”
The First Lady , even added she ’ s open to visiting LeBron ’ s new public school the NBA star called “ I Promise ,” the day after her husband questioned the Los Angeles Lakers player ’ s intelligence .
President Trump insulted James on Friday night hours after CNN re-aired an interview with the basketball player and reporter Don Lemon . “ Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television , Don Lemon ,” Trump said . “ He made Lebron look smart , which isn ’ t easy to do .”
Many , including professional athletes and the Republican governor of Ohio , also came critical of Trump ’ s statements .
On Saturday afternoon , Melania Trump also issued a surprising , positive statement about James , but did not reference her husband .
“ It looks like LeBron James heart from not sending a team to eventually allowing the country ’ s participation owing to a strong public clamor , agreed .
“ Alam mo , dapat nga nating hangaan at purihin and mga m a n l a l a r o n g ito who defied criticism that they don ’ t really deserve being in the national team ,” Marcial emphasized .
“ To me , these guys are already winners in the sense that they save Philippine basketball from
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial being in the doldrums had earlier decision to not play in the Asiad pushed through ,” Marcial added .
“ That ’ right ,” Raymond Yu , who co-owned the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters franchise Instagram with Terry Que , butted in . “ These boys
October 22 - August November 8 - 21 7 , 2017 2018
US First Lady , celebs , NBA players , defend LeBron vs Trump ’ s insults
is working to do good things on behalf of our next generation ,” she said even as she has always done , the First Lady encourages everyone to have an open dialogue about issues facing children today .”
A separate statement coming from her spokeswoman said : “ As you know , Mrs . Trump has travelled the country and world talking to children about their well-being , healthy living , and the importance of responsible on-line behavior with her Be Best initiative . Her platform centers around visiting organizations , hospitals and schools , and she would be open to visiting the I Promise School in Akron .”
Retired NBA player Michal Jordan , who the American
Chief Executive Donald Trump mentioned in the tweet – ending with “ I like Mike !” – Jordan . Likewise , reacted in favour of LeBron .
“ I support LJ ,” Jordan said in a statement . “ He ’ s doing an amazing job for his community .”
James , one of the most prominent athletes in the US , has been critical of Trump for years .
In September 2017 , James called Trump a “ bum ” for rescinding his invitation to the Golden State Warriors to celebrate their basketball championship with a visit to the White House .
“ Going to the White House was a great honor until you showed up !” James tweeted at the time .
In February , James explained why he was critical of the president : “ While we cannot change what comes out of that man ’ s mouth , we can continue to alert the people that watch us , that listen to us , that this is not the way .”
And in an interview with CNN this week , James told Lemon that Trump was “ trying to divide our sport , but at the end of the day , sport is the reason why we all come together ”.
When Lemon asked : “ What would you say to the President if he was sitting right here ?” James said : “ I would never sit across from him .”
Trump ’ s tweet on Friday night drew accusations of racism because Lemon and James are black men and had been discussing Trump ’ s previous attacks on black athletes in the interview .
Representative Tim Ryan , a Democrat who represents James ’ s hometown ’ s district , said : “ I think it reveals and continues to reveal that president Trump race baits .”
The sports commentator Bill Simmons tweeted : “ LeBron is a smart dude ( and one of the most thoughtful athletes we have ) – this is a bullshit tweet and feels more than a little racist .”
James , meanwhile , did not join what is turning out a verbal war and instead on Saturday morning shared photos from the school he just opened . ●
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial , ROS owner Raymond Yu , coach Yeng Guiao consider members of PH Five Heroes
A day after getting the imprimatur to represent the country in the coming Asian Games , coach Yeng Guiao and members of the Philippine basketball team met for the first time on Monday to start their short but extenive preparations at the Meralco gym in Pasig City .
Only light skirmishes were scheduled , mostly for purposes of designing plays that will be , Guiao hoped , able to master comes competition time as his boys responded spiritedly .
“ Maganda ang simula ,” Guiao , who is in his second stint as a national mentor following the 2009 FIBA-Asia , assessed . “ Feeling ko , inspired ang mga bata . Alam naman natin na biglaan ito at ilan sa kanila ay hindi man mang makakaisip na makalalaro sila sa Asiad representing our flag had it not for the circumstances presently prevailing in th local basketball community .”
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial , one of the people responsible for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas ’ change of
saved , too , our relations with all Olympic Council of Asia member countries for agreeing to play in he midst of kantyaw ibibabato sa kanila ng ilang kababayan natin .”
“ And for that , I consider them our modern day dheroes , ngayon pa lamang na hindi pa nagsisimua ang Asa Games ,” Yu declared .
“ M o s t importantly , we must thank our basketball-crazy k a b a b a y a n s who didn ’ t stop clamoring that we send a team in a sport closest to their hearts , Marcial said . “ Our thanks also go to the PBA , the SBP and the Philippine Olympic Committee for heeding the insistent demand from our basketball-loving people .”
Given the limited time to
Basketball
prepare and the equally limited talents available , Guiao said his team has sufficient manpower to perform creditably and decently and win as many games possible that will make the Filipinos happy .
“ Out of this pool of players , we hope to build a team composed of 12 men who might come short of coming to the medal podium , but , win the admiration and respect of our people and those of our rivals ,” Guiao vowed .
“ Sisiguruhin namin sa coaching staff at sa mga mamumuno ng ating koponan na ang mga batang ipadadala sa Indonesia ay makapagbibigay karangalan sa aking bansa at sa pangalang Pilipino kung hindi man medalya , “ Guiao vowed .
“ Of course , we ’ ll try our best to bring home that coveted basketball edal our countrymen have been craving for for quite sometime ,” he added . “
All but one members of the team – Gabe Norwood , Beau
Continued on next page