Kobe: I love Pacman's competitiveness

He may be a towering figure in the sport of basketball, but Kobe Bryant admits to being impressed by boxing hero Manny Pacquiao’s competitive drive.

“Manny is a great friend. I love his fire and competitiveness,” Bryant, who is in Manila to promote the game of hoops, said.

Bryant, a member of the five-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion Los Angeles Lakers, told reporters Wednesday about his mission of helping poor children achieve their dreams.

The talk eventually drifted away from basketball and to the Nov. 12 matchup between Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. Asked who he was rooting for, Bryant said, “Manny’s my guy.”

Like Bryant, Pacquiao is an endorser for Nike, the sports clothing and gear company.

Bryant is in Manila as part of his Asian tour dubbed “Take Every Advantage.” His next stop will be Seoul before he visits select Chinese cities.

He has been in the Philippines twice before.

He dropped by the Gawad Kalinga in Taguig, visited the Nike Park at The Fort and presided over his basketball clinic at the Araneta Coliseum.

Bryant urged his fans to “take advantage of every opportunity like what I am doing now.”

“I don’t think it’s any more complicated than that. Whether you’re a journalist or a basketball player, you should take every chance you get,” said the 33-year-old Bryant, who mesmerized underprivileged kids from Taguig with some of his court moves.

He said he it “feels great” helping kids. “It’s not fair for kids to grow without them knowing they have a chance to do great things. That’s why I’m helping them,” he said.

At the Big Dome for the basketball clinic, Bryant checked if the collegiate players he had taught last time had made any progress in their hoops development.

“I love the passion of the players here. I love to see how far they have come,” he said.

Among those who watched the “Black Mamba” in action were members of Smart Gilas national basketball team.

By KARLO SACAMOS