Cebuano martial artist emotional in Kobe moment

CEBU, Philippines —  He traveled to the United States to seek greener pastures for nearly a year now.

He spent most of his time in Las Vegas, where he resides with his aunt Arlene Markie.

While in the so-called ‘Sin City’, it gives him the opportunity to further hone his martial arts skills as a jiujitsu disciple.

All his efforts and sacrifices are slowly paying off.

Just recently, he snared bronze medal in the 140-160 lbs. division of the Atlas Grappling Invitational-All Las Vegas Jiujitsu Tournament. That earned him ticket to next month’s 2021 Jiujitsu World League slated on March 27 at the Sahara Events Center also in Vegas.

Then came something that delighted him more while in the US, a quick trip to Los Angeles.

And when he set foot for the first time in LA, he seemed struck by a bolt of excitement that flowed down through his senses.

Cebuano martial artist Lemuel P. Maglinte was floating on cloud nine - literally and figuratively - while marveling at the lovely ‘City of Angels’.

“The place is somehow quiet and not that lively as what I used to think of it because the people are really affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” shared Maglinte, who was once part of The Freeman and Banat News family as writer and assistant sports editor. “Nevertheless, I’m very happy to get here. LA is really my dream city to visit.”

As he roamed around downtown LA near the Staples Center - homecourt of the NBA’s LA Lakers, Maglinte said he couldn’t help but get emotional upon seeing dozens of amazing murals of the late Kobe Bryant, the timeless icon of the Lakers’ franchise who touched the lives of his fans beyond the bounds of the playing court with his “Mamba Mentality”.

Maglinte said he was nearly reduced to tears while posing in front of a mural of Bryant and his daughter Gianna, who also perished with the NBA legend and seven others in tragic helicopter crash in a mountainous area in Calabasas, California on January 27 last year.

The 32-year-old Maglinte, a purple belt in jiujitsu, confessed that he idolizes Bryant, whom he considers as the greatest player of all time (GOAT).

“I’m really an avid fan of Kobe that is why I’m rooting for the Lakers ever since. Also, Kobe is No.1 in my GOAT list,” he said. “What I like most about Kobe is his mentality. He’s very competitive and will do everything whatever it takes just to make his team win. He’s truly an inspiration to all athletes even if you’re not a basketball player.”

Bryant spent all his 20 seasons with the Lakers where he bagged five championships, one regular season, two NBA Finals and four All-Star MVP awards, and two NBA scoring titles among his countless accomplishments during his storied career. He also won an Oscar for best short animated film in 2018 for Dear Basketball, a five-minute film based on a love letter to the sport he had written in 2015.

Maglinte may not have seen his idol in person but he is more than happy enough for having a keepsake with Bryant through the splendid artworks immortalizing his greatness.

“I was quite emotional when I pose in front of the mural of Kobe especially that his daughter Gigi is beside him,” said Maglinte. “It was a worthwhile trip down unforgettable moment, something that I will treasure in my lifetime.”