in BATANGAS, PEOPLE, PILIPINAS

BATANGAS: Kilalanin Ang Kauna-Unahang Filipino-American Na Naglaro Sa NBA, May Dugong Batanguenyo!

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Source: www.complex.com

Kamakailan ay binigyang pagkilala ng Golden State Warriors ang kauna-unahang Pinoy na naglaro sa NBA (National Basketball Association) bilang bahagi ng Filipino Heritage Week.

Ang nabanggit na manlalaro ay isang Filipino-American na naglaro ng 3 season sa NBA sa koponan ng Golden State Warriors(1978-1980) at Indiana Pacers(1981-82).

KILALANIN SI RAYMOND TOWNSEND, ANG KAUNA-UNAHANG PINOY NA NAGLARO SA NBA, MAY DUGONG BATANGUENYO…

Hindi maitatangi ang labis na pagmamahal ng mga Pilipino sa larong basketball. Marami ang patuloy na nangangarap na makapaglaro sa Philippine Basketball Association(PBA) at kung lulubus-lubusin naman ang pangangarap ay sa National Basketball Association(NBA), ang premayadong men’s professional baskeball league sa mundo.

Marahil sa ngayon ay kilalang-kilala ng mga kabataan si Jordan Clarkson, ang natatanging Pinoy na naglalaro sa NBA bilang Point Guard/Shooting Guard sa koponan na Los Angeles Lakers na may taas na 6’5. Ngunit alam nyo ba na hindi si Jordan Clarkson ang kauna-unahang Pinoy na nakapaglaro sa NBA.

Photo source: www.complex.com

Noong 1978 ay na-draft ng team na Golden State Warriors ang 6’3 Filipino-American na si Raymond Townsend sa first round ng NBA Rookie Draft bilang 22nd pick.

Si Townsend ay ipinanganak sa San Jose, California, USA noong December 20, 1955. Ang kanyang ama, Ray Sr. ay isang Amerikano samantalang ang ina naman nito na si Virginia Marella ay isang Batanguenya, tubong Balayan, Batangas.

Noong highschool sa kanyang senior year sa Camden High Cougars ay tumitikada ng 28 puntos kada laro (average points per game) si Townsend. Ito ang panahong hindi pa uso ang 3-point line sa larong basketball.

Sa kolehiyo naman ay naging bahagi siya ng UCLA Bruins sa ilalim ni legendary coach John Wooden at naging parte ng 1975 UCLA Basketball National Championship team. Sa kanyang senior year sa kolehiyo noong 1978 ay napabilang siya sa first-team All-Pac-8 honors kung saan nakasama nya rito ang kilalang NBA player na si Cliff Robinson.

Stephen Curry with former Warrior Raymond Townsend Original Photo source: www2.ljworld.com

Nakapaglaro si Townsend ng dalawang season sa Golden State Warriors noong 1978-1980 seasons at sa koponang Indiana Pacers noong 1981-82 season.

Bukod sa NBA ay naglaro rin sa Continental Basketball Association (CBA) sa USA si Townsend sa koponang Alberta Dusters (kilala bilang Albuquerque Silvers/ Las Vegas Silvers) noong 1980-81 season at naglaro rin sa Euro League at FIBA Intercontinental noong 1984-85 para sa koponang Banco di Roma ng Italy.

Raymond Anthony Townsend NBA Career Stats
Position: Shooting Guard ▪6-3, 175lb (190cm, 79kg)  Source: www.basketball-reference.com

Sa kasalukuyan ay isa na ngayong youth sports development coordinator sa San Jose California si Townsend at nahirang noong May 2, 2009 bilang UCLA Filipino Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.(Source: en.wikipedia.org, basketball-reference.com)

https://www.facebook.com/philsnba/videos/1462749413756453/

 

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Barako PH is a Batangas-based digital marketing platform under Boomer Events and Production. The brand was created to promote and support local businesses in the Philippines through online marketing tools and services. Barako PH offers a wide range of services including website design and development, SEO, social media marketing, and online advertising. The company also provides a platform for businesses to connect with their customers and promote their products and services. Barako PH is committed to providing the best possible service to its clients and helping them grow their businesses.

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