Retired basketball legend Kobe Bryant is glad to have returned to Manila to meet his local fans.

Bryant, regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, arrived in Manila early Saturday morning for his "Mamba Mentality Tour" with sports apparel Nike.

"It's always fun to come here, there's so much energy that surrounds the game and so much passion for the game," said the former LA Laker during his press conference at the Shangri-La at the Fort. "I enjoy it every time I come here."

It was his first visit to Manila since retiring from the NBA after 20 colorful years with the Lakers.

But despite leaving the sport, Bryant remained fit and kept himself busy even while being away from the game.

"It's still important for me to stay in shape so I'm still working out, still training, doing all sort of things," he said.

"And then I also continue to create, innovate our performance products with Nike so I've been extremely busy."

Byrant is known for his nickname "Black Mamba" which meant his desire to emulate in the hard court the eponymous snake's ability "strike with 99% accuracy at maximum speed, in rapid succession."

In the process, he became a five-time NBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP and also won the 2008 Season Most Valuable Player award.

"The sum of the 'Mamba mentality' to me is to be on the constant quest to try to be the best version of yourself," he said.

"That's what the mentality is."

Bryant capped his storied NBA career with a 60-point output against the Utah Jazz, even outscoring the whole Jazz squad in the fourth quarter.

Bryant said he himself couldn't believe he's done it.

"No there's no way this is happening," he said. "People could go in there and say 'Nah, it's not happening. That's fantasy land.' It's surreal, I can't believe it happened that way."

But the 37-year-old baller, however, said he has no plans of returning to the game anytime soon, citing that he's already at peace with his retirement.

"I really have no inclination to play anymore.... I'm really, really fortunate cause it's really hard for players at this age to leave the game and have peace with it," said Bryant.

"I'm glad I do. Very blessed to have that feeling." -- with a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)