During the FIBA World Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena, Team USA’s Anthony Edwards and the rest of the team experienced a warm welcome from the Filipino fans. With their impressive lineup of NBA players, it was no surprise that the crowd favored Team USA. Every move made by Edwards or a simple behind-the-back move from Austin Reaves elicited enthusiastic reactions from the boisterous Filipino fans.
After Team USA’s 99-72 victory over New Zealand, Edwards expressed his gratitude to the fans, saying, “We’re super excited to have you guys. Keep supporting us, and we’ll continue to entertain you.” The Los Angeles Lakers’ guard, Reaves, gained the loudest cheers during the game, which didn’t come as a surprise since the Lakers have a devoted following in the Philippines.
In a viral video released by USA Basketball, Edwards mocked a Filipino fan who shouted, “AUSTIN YOU’RE HIM!” as the team was leaving the court. Even Reaves acknowledged the love for the Lakers in the country, saying, “I kind of saw it coming. Lakers are loved out here.” Edwards and Reaves contributed a total of 26 points to the team’s win, while Paolo Banchero led the scoring with 21 points.
Team USA will play again on Monday, which is a national holiday in the Philippines. They are expected to draw another large crowd, and Edwards and his teammates are eager to start the game more smoothly than their previous match against New Zealand, where they initially trailed 14-4. Edwards emphasized the importance of a strong start, stating, “The first group, myself, we have to come out a lot better for sure.”
In a separate video, Edwards shared his experience playing in the Philippines and expressed his admiration for coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat. For live updates on the FIBA World Cup, visit inq.news/FIBAWC2023.
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