“Sports can be an important platform to keep the youth away from harmful and dangerous vices like illegal drugs and criminality.”

His shooting prowess may be comparable to Stephen Curry, but Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Lawrence “Kuya Bong” Go refused to mention his name in the same breath as the Golden State Warriors superstar.

Instead, he coined a neat moniker for himself: Chicken Curry.

He also assumed the name “Kuya Bong” which he said was a spin off from Filipinos term of endearment of Tatay Digong on President Duterte.

A cold-blooded gunner who can torch the net from deep, Go declared his readiness to play even against the country’s best cagers from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the newly formed Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League of Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

He is so enamored to basketball that he is a regular fixture in PBA games whenever his schedule with President Duterte allows him.

In fact, he conspired with legendary shooter Allan Caidic in challenging Talk ‘N Text guard Terence Romeo and presidential son-in-law Atty. Mans Carpio to a shootout during the PBA All-Star weekend in Davao City a couple of months ago.

Go and Caidic lost by a heartbeat, but the Secretary’s competitive nature earned him the admiration of millions of Filipino basketball fans.

“I always love to play basketball that is why I try my best to stay in shape as well as remain active in heart and mind,” said Go, who nearly missed his scheduled shoot-off with Romeo and Carpio after attending to fire victims in an area in Davao.

“That is the key why I’m still able to keep up with some of the best basketball players from the MPBL and PBA,” he added.

He was also part of the opening-day roster of Muntinlupa Cagers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) together with former collegiate stars Allan Mangahas, Rey Guevarra, Chester Saldua and Dave Moralde.

MPBL is the brainchild of boxing legend Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

Go has yet to see a single minute of action, but the crowd will surely go wild once the 44-year-old Go challenges younger, taller and bigger basketball players of today.

For his exploits – and uncanny fighting spirit – fans often compare him to Pacquiao, one of the world’s greatest boxers who bravely broke the barrier by becoming an actor, senator, businessman, celebrity and, yes, basketball player.

When Pacquiao was still trying to make a name in the boxing arena, he would often challenge Go to a round of pickup basketball whenever he’s in Davao.

In between fastbreaks, three-point shooting and layups, they would discuss how to improve the state of Philippine sports and how they can effectively serve the public.

“I guess in that manner, we’re very much alike,” he said, referring to talks that he shares a lot in common with the fighting senator.

“Both of us believe that sports can be an important platform to push our youth and our people to excel as well as to keep them away from harmful and dangerous vices like illegal drugs and criminality.“

“In terms of what makes us different? I guess it is that Senator Manny is the People’s Champ while I am the Chicken Curry of the Philippines.”

Pacquiao went on to become a senator while Go remains as the right-hand guy of the President, who also volunteers to serve as the public’s link to the Chief Executive whenever they have pressing concerns that need immediate attention.

Go said he wouldn’t stop assisting – on the court and off the court.