SAN ANTONIO – Memorable kay dating San Antonio Spurs star guard Tony Parker ang pagpupugay na ginawa sa kanya sa AT&T Center. Hinandugan kasi ng jersey-retirement ceremony ang No. 9 jersey ni Parker sa harap ng mga manonood sa laro kalaban ang Memphis Grizzlies.
Ito ay bilang pasasalamat na rin sa naging ambag ni Parker at pagiging bahagi ng 4 na championship ring sa loob ng 17 taong paglalaro sa Spurs. Sa harap ng fans, masayang pinirmahan ng French cager ang mga litrato niya na dala-dala nila, kasabay ng sigawan na “ Merci Tony”. Bagama’t natalo sa Memphis, 113-109, naging masaya naman ang crowd sa isinagawang seremonya.
“We all knew the day was going to come, so it’s not a surprise,” pahayag ni Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
“It will be a festive occasion when we all get to thank him after the game. He certainly deserves it. We’ll bid him bon voyage, and he’ll live the rest of his life. He’s got a lot ahead of him.”
Ang jersey retirement ni Parker ay pangsampu sa ginawang pagkilala ng prangkisa kabilang ang mga matitikas na manlalaro ng Spurs na sina Bruce Bowen (12), Tim Duncan (21), Sean Elliott (32), George Gervin (44), Manu Ginobili (20), Avery Johnson (6), Johnny Moore (00), David Robinson (50), at James Silas (13).
Naging bahagi rin si Parker ng franchise’s fame na “ Big Three” kung saan retirado na rin ang mga ka-batch niya sa maningning na karera ng Spurs noong 20’s na sina Tim Duncan ( 2016) at Mano Ginobili noong nakaraang season. Naging 2007 NBA Finals MVP si Parker na naging unang European na sumungkit ng MVP sa kasaysayan ng liga.
Kasama rin sa nagpugay kay Parker ang mga kaibigan niyang sinaIan Mahinmi, George Hill, Mike Budenholzer, Ime Udoka, Bruce Bowen, Ronny Turiaf at Michael Finley. Siyempre, naging emosyunal si Parker nang mayakap ang si coach Popovich. Napaluha naman ang mga manlalaro ng Spurs dahil sa makapagbagbag damdaming okasyon.
“I think I am, if not the most, one of the most fortunate coaches ever to get to do this,” ani Popovich.
“It’s just remarkable to be able to be with them for that period of time and watch them develop as people, as players, to see them interact with so many other people, to travel with them for whatever, eight months a year. It’s rare. Not a lot of people are going to be able to say they were with three Hall of Fame players for that long a period of time. Talk about serendipity, good fortune, whatever you want to call it. I certainly feel honored and fortunate to have been there,” aniya.
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