MANILA, Philippines — Pau Gasol came up big on Saturday, scoring a 24 big points en route to victory — not only for the Los Angeles Lakers, but for the Filipinos as well.
Gasol’s pledge to donate $1,000 for every point he scored against Golden State was already a gesture worth praise, but the Spaniard still took that extra mile to help.
“I definitely had motivation of scoring tonight for the Philippines,” Gasol said after the 102-95 win at home in Staples Center.
It was only Gasol’s third 20-point scoring night in 13 games this season for the Lakers, and he even finished just a shade under his season-best of 25.
Gasol also had 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block to rally the Lakers, who still.
In total, Gasol is donating $24,000 to UNICEF to help in the continuous relief efforts, two weeks after super Typhoon “Yolanda” caused wide-spread damage in Eastern Visayas.
Gasol’s efforts, though, didn’t just stop after that win. He encouraged his 2.3 million Twitter followers to help as well — something he has been doing for the past week.
Some of his followers had offered at least a dollar for every point he scores or two for every rebound he gets — to which Gasol answered, “every bit counts.”
Former Lakers coach and legend Phil Jackson was one of those who pledged, offering $50 for every point and rebound Gasol chalks up.
Jackson also said he’ll add $1,000 for every charge Gasol would draw but the Laker star didn’t take one that night.
source: sports.inquirer.net
