Pinoy fans create mural in Taguig to honor Kobe, daughter

Photo by Danny Pata

Filipino fans of the late NBA star Kobe Bryant have created a special mural at a covered court of a tenement housing in Taguig City as a tribute following his tragic death in a helicopter crash in California.

According to Bam Alegre's report on Unang Balita on Tuesday, the artists created the mural to pay homage to Bryant and his daughter Gianna, who was also killed in the incident. They said it took them a whole day to paint the mural.

"Nagbibigay tribute, nagbibigay respeto at pagmamahal para sa isang extraordinary, one of a kind athlete, arguably the best to ever play the game of basketball, Kobe Bryant," said Mike Swift, who is also known as Mr. Pinoy Hoops.

"Gusto namin maalala yung mga memories about kay Kobe. Siyempre mahal ng mga Pilipino si Kobe Bryant," said another fan, Keno Alcantara, who considers Bryant his idol.

The group also lit candles in solidarity with the world grieving for Bryant's death.

Bryant, 41, and Gianna, 13, as well as seven other people, perished in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday (Monday in Philippines).

Bryant, who played in the LA Lakers for 20 years, was an 18-time All-Star, a five-time NBA champion and the fourth-leading scorer in the history of the National Basketball Association. —KBK, GMA News