Senegal center Hamady N’Diaye is no stranger to Philippine basketball. He has played in Manila suited up for Kia during the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup. He has been inside the Mall of Asia Arena. He knows exactly what it feels to play in front of a Filipino crowd, and what it feels to be cheered by Filipinos.
Hamady N’Diaye on return to Manila, getting support from Filipino fans: pic.twitter.com/8RExC0b692
— LVJ (@levijoshua) July 6, 2016
N’Diaye experienced the same scene on Wednesday night, but on a bigger stage, and he couldn’t help but admit that it felt different.
The scene meant more to him.
“Amazing. It’s amazing,” N’Diaye said.
Filipino fans cheered for Senegal at one point of the team’s match against Canada in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, Philippines prior to Gilas Pilipinas’ clash against New Zealand that night.
Senegal fell to Canada, 58-55, but N’Diaye was appreciative of the Filipinos’ support.
“I’ve been cheered before here. But for the Filipino fans to actually cheer for us and Senegal, I am grateful,” N’Diaye said.
N’Diaye even opened up about a conversation that he had with now Mahindra head coach Manny Pacquiao a year ago.
While the two have not yet had the chance to meet again, N’Diaye hopes Senegal snatches a win over Turkey on Thursday to extend their stay in Manila.
“Hopefully we still got more (games) to go. I hope he comes to one of the games before I leave. Manny Pacquiao is actually an inspiration for me. When I got here last year, he talked to me and he actually enjoyed our conversation,” N’Diaye shared.
“He is an amazing guy. Personally I am always thankful that I was able to have that conversation with him. Hopefully I get to see him again.”
In his first game back in Manila after a year, the 6-foot-11 big man approached his visit with a bigger mission in mind: make the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in Brazil.
“It’s a bigger goal for me. This is representing the country I am from, my people. It’s a mission,” N’Diaye said on Wednesday.
“When we came here, we are the underdogs. All we wanted is to give ourselves a chance to be able to win a game in the end.”
“Today is a proof we are (capable), no matter what everybody believes,” he said.
N’Diaye scored four points and grabbed six rebounds in over 21 minutes of play. Although Senegal was unable to capture the opener, the 29-year-old center said he is still proud of his team.
“I am proud of my team. We are trying to do something that has really never been done. For us to get on this stage and for the young guys to step up and rise to the occasion is proof that our coaching staff and the veterans that have been here did a great job talking to the guys. And we did not have that much time,” N’Diaye said.
And with the way the 2015 FIBA AfroBasket semi-finalists gave Canada a scare, N’Diaye carried a positive mindset heading to the team’s next match.
“We still have another chance tomorrow, and we will get it together, fix what we have to fix. Still trying to give us a chance to make it to the Olympics. That is the goal for everyone,” he said.
Like what Gilas had aimed for, N’Diaye wants a golden ticket to Rio. And there is no better way to try and accomplish the mission than doing it in a place that means so much to him.
“We will just try to fix what we can fix and try to represent our country the best that we can,” he said. “I am actually proud of them. Hopefully we rise to the occasion tomorrow and do a better job.”
