The basketball-nation that is the Philippines has once again witnessed the arrival of legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant just a few short months after his retirement from the NBA after a 20-year long career with the Los Angeles Lakers, concluding his final game with a 60-point finish. This time around, Kobe finds himself in Manila for the Mamba Mentality Tour where the Black Mamba himself has gone around the metro teaching the ways of the Mamba–or rather the Mentality of the Mamba.

Follow Kobe’s journey around Manila through a series of photos as he set out and inspired his fans and followers to be the best in everything they set their mind to may it be in basketball or life in general, the Mamba Mentality is more than just an idea or a mindset. It’s a way of living.

DAY 1

The Manila leg of the Mamba Mentality Tour 2016 began with Kobe inspiring Filipinos with his philosophy of chasing perfection in every aspect of life, on and off court. His first day back in Manila was kicked off at Nike Run Club. Over 30 top runners from the Nike Run Club were surprised by Kobe Bryant after they finished a 10K run; he “welcomed” them with more intense training and physical challenges as part of his Mamba Mentality approach.

Kobe Bryant visited Ususan Covered Court in Taguig City, dropping off golden basketballs, and to inspire the young athletes in the area, and then capped his visit off by inviting the teams to Mamba Mentality Night the same evening.

Kobe also dropped by Shangri-la at the Fort for brunch with the local media to discuss the tour, the future, and even his famed sneaker franchise with local OG sneakerheads.

Kobe also made the time to send virtual well wishes all the way to the Gilas Pilipinas basketball team, who are currently in Italy for training before the Olympic Qualifying tournament.

It was then that Kobe headed to the much anticipated Mamba Mentality Night held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum with over 9,210 fans of the Black Mamba turning up and lighting the iconic stadium in tiny tributes of light to pay homage to the Black Mamba’s career, hopefully cementing the Philippines’ place in the legendary player’s heart.

CLAVEL Day 1 Photos by Victoria Avenido (@toia.ph)

DAY 2

The second day of the Mamba Mentality Tour Manila 2016 kicked off with the Kobe Academy, which was held at Kerry Sports Hall on Sunday morning, June 26 which featured 24 young basketballers who had the privilege to be trained by Kobe Bryant himself, who led strength and conditioning drills inspired by Kobe’s own workouts.

The 24 were selected from a pool of 300 basketball players who were put through their paces at the Kobe Academy Pre-Camp from June 22 – 24. Training sessions begun at 4:00AM, a nod to the early mornings the Black Mamba trained before team practice.

Besides the skills and potential each athlete had, the 24 were selected for possessing qualities of Mamba Mentality.

Mamba Mentality is a philosophy derived from Kobe’s approach to the game, and his aspirations of chasing perfection through hard work, resilience and passion in every aspect of life on and off the court. The Mamba Mentality Tour aims to challenge and inspire the mindset of Pinoy ballers to be relentless and fearless in their chase to be the best in sport and life.

Kobe Disciples Session

Kobe then went on to visit the Nike Park Fort where he held an intimate closed door session with select diehard fans from all walks of life. He shared more information on what the Mamba Mentality is, his future plans, and his obsession with product design.

After the session, the Black Mamba also signed a miniature version of his tribute at Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Nike Park BHS store before he finished his 7^th visit to Manila. And so as not to disappoint, Kobe of course stepped out to greet the multitude of fans who swarmed Bonifacio High Street just to see him.

He also launched a limited edition Kobe 11 Elite Low that is exclusively available in the Philippines and China. The 24 lucky fans – called Mamba Disciples – were given the first chance to get a pair.