Davao Occidental-Cocolife coach Don Dulay pays tribute to Kobe Bryant. Handout
MANILA, Philippines – Born and raised in the city of Carson in Los Angeles, California, Davao Occidental-Cocolife coach Don Dulay grew up in a family of diehard Los Angeles Lakers fans.
He was there when his favorite team dealt Serbian center Vlade Divac in exchange for a 17-year-old high schooler back in the 1998 NBA Draft. He was also there when the entire city of Los Angeles embraced the teenager, who turned into one of the best talents the game has ever seen.
"Man, it goes way back," said Dulay. "I was born and raised in LA, so you know, I'm a diehard Laker fan. (I've) been following Kobe (Bryant) since he became a Laker."
"It's very emotional for me when it happened. For people who know me, they know that I'm probably one of the biggest Kobe fans, so I had to pay my respect. I wish I can be in LA and go to Staples Center, but I gotta be here right now," he added.
Back in the 2000s, whenever Bryant and the Lakers would make the playoffs, Dulay's parents would host viewing parties for their whole family while watching their favorite team on TV. Those moments, for Dulay, brought his family closer than ever.
That's why when the Lakers legend perished in a helicopter crash last Monday, Dulay felt that a part of him died, too.
"One thing that I loved about Kobe is he brought my family closer. Those times in the 2000s, every time they made it to the playoffs, to the finals, we would have barbeques and cookouts for the family, friends, and it brought us closer and I'll never forget that," said Dulay.
To honor the person who played such a huge role in his life, Dulay wore Bryant's No. 24 jersey in Davao's 106-90 win against Muntinlupa in the Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season at the Batangas State University on Wednesday.
Dulay also dedicated their win to his late idol, whose famed "Mamba Mentality" helped him get over many rough encounters in life.
"Since it happened, I haven't been the same," he admitted. "You know, being in this setting kinda helped me to you know, relax a little and made me look at things at a different perspective."
"It helped me get through those days when I was tired but you know, knowing him… all those days that I wanted to quit, but thinking like what would Kobe do at this moment? It helped me get through those tough times," he added.
When asked if he will continue to wear Bryant's jersey, Dulay admitted that it will be a "one-time thing."
"But you know, I'll hold it close to my heart. He loved the game so much, he gave everything to the game, and that's why I'm such a big fan," he said.
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