Manila, Philippines – Binigyan ng pagkilala ang Filipino-American big man na si Troy Rike ng backer ng national team para sa kaniyang ginawa noong kasagsagan ng rambulan sa pagitan ng laro ng Gilas Pilipinas at Australia sa Philippine Arena noong Lunes ng gabi.
Prinutektahan kasi ni Rike ang player ng Australia na si Chris Goulding mula sa mga fans at kapwa players na tila handang-handa itong kuyugin.
Dahil dito, namangha si Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. president Ronald Mascariñas at sinabing iniligtas ni Rike ang ating bansa noong Lunes ng gabi.
“Kung hindi sa action ni Troy Rike, basag ‘yung ulo nung nakahiga na ‘yun. By protecting this person, nakita niya ‘yung repercussion. Even with his youth, he saw things beyond that moment,” sabi pa ni Mascariñas.
Bilang gantimpala sa kaniyang ginawa, binigyan ni Mascariñas ng tseke na nagkakahalaga ng P100,000 si Rike.
Samantala, ikinatuwa naman ito ng Gilas Pilipinas cadet at sinabing may plano na siya sa kung saan niya gagamitin ang hindi inaasahang gantimpala.
“And I made the decision to take some of that money and do something good with it. I’m planning to split it and give P50,000 to a Filipino charity and P50,000 to an Australian charity as well,” sabi pa ni Rike.
Matapos malaman ni Mascariñas at ng Chooks-to-Go ang planong pag-dodonate ng player sa charity, dinagdagan pa nila ito ng P100,000 para sa kaparehong charity.
Planong mag-donate ni Rike sa Murdoch Childrens Research Institute sa Australia at sa World Vision Philippines.
“Though young, Troy is showing that he is mature beyond his years…Even if had just been here in the country for just two months, he is proving that he can be an excellent ambassador to the sport both on and off the court.”
Samantala, naniniwala naman si Rike na ito ay isang magandang hakbang para mag-move-on sa isa sa madilim na pangyayari sa kasaysayan ng Philippine basketball.
“Players and my teammates express their regret for their actions and some Australian players have expressed their regret as well,” expressed Rike.
“Obviously, both of us wish what happened would not have had happened because that is not what either country is about. We can’t take that back and the only thing we could do is move forward and do some good with that.”
Kitang kita sa mga litrato na nagkalat sa social media ang ginawa ni Rike na pagprotekta kay Goulding kung saan ang Boomer ay nakahiga na sa sahig sa gitna ng nag-aamok na mga players at fans.
Kinumpirma naman ito ni Rike at sinabi sa kaniyang tweet na, “Just before I hear anything about this picture or my character. I was standing over him with both legs to protect him.”
“You can check the footage, I’m actively pushing people off.” (Remate News Team)
