BACOOR CITY, Cavite – Thousands of Bacooreños were surprised on Monday when no less than the Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go graced and even showed his shooting skills in the “STRIKE for GO 3-Point Shoot Out” basketball game at the Strike Gymnasium here.
The Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief who took time off from his busy Palace schedules displayed his shooting prowess for the 3-point basket and scored five times at that to the delight of the basketball enthusiasts and the cheering crowd.
"Ang galing pala ni Bong Go! Ang layo shoot 3 points! The people cheer him go shoot Bong Go!" (Bong Go is an expert. The 3-point shot is far),” exclaimed a delighted Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla, who along with her brother-in-law, Cavite 2nd District Representative Strike Revilla, sponsored the event.
Go arrived at about 1:30 p.m. with his sporty getup of a combination of white and blue shirt and white shorts and matching white rubber shoes amid the cheers and applause of the crowd like they have found a new hoops idol.
This time however, the “selfie king” was mobbed as people shook hands and wanted to take a “selfie” and “groufie” at every chance the instant admirers got to pose with Go inside the gym.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar also arrived at the venue, clad in an ordinary suit and joined the crowd in chanting Bong Go's name.
The PMS chief and President’s special assistant amazed the crowd with his three-point long shots from the four corners.
City council members, village chiefs and city hall employees were also amused at the Palace official's performance.
Mayor Lani remarked: "Si Bong Go, text mate ko yan, kahit hatinggabi sumasagot sa tanong ko, talagang matulungin (Bong Go is my textmate who even at midnight would answer queries from me. He’s so helpful).”
She also rallied the crowd to support and show their love to Bong Go, describing him as “chinito, pogi” (chinky-eyed, handsome) just like the way her constituents love her husband, former Senator Bong Revilla.
The basketball exhibition game, which was participated in by various barangay teams, lasted till around 5 p.m. (Rogelio Limpin/PNA)
