SHOW STOPPER NBA most Valuable player and golden state warriors guard Stephen Curry soars for a dunk during a game at the mall of asia arena during the last leg of his under armour asia tour that took him to Japan and China. PhOTO By ruSSel PAlMA
SHOW STOPPER NBA Most Valuable player and golden state warriors guard Stephen Curry soars for a dunk during a game at the mall of Asia arena during the last leg of his under armour asia tour that took him to Japan and China. Photo by Russel Palma

Golden State Warriors’ combo guard Stephen Curry told Gilas Pilipinas to play with a lot of heart in every game and learn the process.

Curry, 27, visited Manila as guest of the Under Armour Road Show held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday. He met his Philippine fans and demonstrated basketball drills for them.

“Show some heart and hopefully you will achieve the goal that you’ve set,” Curry, the last season’s National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player winner, told Gilas during a press conference at the Raffles Hotel in Makati City.

Curry gave a friendly advice to the national team under coach Tab Baldwin who is presently competing in the 37th William Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan.

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“Go out have fun and enjoy the process, but leave it on the floor,” Curry said.

“Just go at it. Don’t hold anything back. It is an amazing opportunity in front of you. Play to the best of your ability. There is no greater feeling than that when your whole country is behind you.”

“You have to embrace whatever style you play,” added the 6’3 guard from Davidson College.

Curry, the son of former NBA player Del Curry, said that he is also looking forward to playing for team USA in next year’s Olympics in Rio. He was a member of team USA that won gold medals in the 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Cup.

“It is really amazing to play for your country. Whenever we go outside the country and play against other countries wearing your country’s colors, it is something bigger than you,” he added. “It is something very special. Hopefully, we can do it [winning the Olympic gold] again in Rio.”

Curry, who led the Golden States Warriors last season to its first NBA title in 40 years, promised to return to the country.

“I want to keep building the game of basketball like it was built before me. It is my first time here in the Philippines but it won’t be my last. I’m coming back for sure,” he said. “I want to be a hall of famer and be somebody that people remember for a long time to inspire the next generation.”

“You might fail for a couple of times but it is okay because it makes you stronger. I want to reach my full potential. I rely on my work ethics a lot. My confidence is built on my preparation,” he said.

Curry, who averaged 23.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists last season, idolizes NBA greats Reggie Miller of Indiana Pacers and Steve Nash of Phoenix Suns. “I love watching Reggie Miller and Steve Nash growing up.”