Foundation for street children thanks 'longtime friend' Kobe Bryant after legend's death

Tributes continue to pour in for Kobe Bryant, who was killed on a helicopter crash in Los Angeles on Monday morning (PHL time).

Tuloy Foundation, an organization which helps to integrate street children back into society, released its own statement remembering the five-time NBA champion and former Most Valuable Player.

The future Hall of Famer visited Tuloy Sa Don Bosco in Makati as a young NBA player back in 1998 and was considered as a "longtime friend" of the organization.

"He played with the kids and fed them, and I even got to play one-on-one basketball where I scored a 3 pointer against the legend himself," said Fr. Marciano "Rocky" Evangelista, SDB in the foundation's Facebook post.

Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna, 13, were among the nine people who perished when their helicopter crashed on the hills in Calabasas, California.

The father and daughter were reportedly on their way to Thousand Oaks to coach and play a basketball game. Authorities said there were visibility issues as the foggy weather forced the Los Angeles Police Department to ground their own helicopter fleet.

"Thank you, Kobe Bryant, for the joy and inspiration you brought to me, our Tuloy kids and the rest of the world," Evangelista said. "We were thinking of inviting you to our celebration of my 50th anniversary of Priesthood in May as meeting you was one of the highlights of my life and a memory I will never forget."

Bryant is survived by his wife Vanessa and daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri, who is only seven months old.

"Our Tuloy family would like to extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to Vanessa and the Bryant family as well as the families of those who were affected by this unfortunate tragedy. May their souls rest in peace." —MGP, GMA News