Dwyane Wade takes in UAAP hoops action, praises young talent

MANILA – It was a basketball-filled day for three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade as dropped by the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament at the iconic Big Dome. 

Wade arrived ahead of the clash between hosts Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Before that, the NBA legend participated in two basketball clinics – one with the 2026 Palarong Pambansa champions and another with coaches from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas in Bonifacio Global City. 

Wade was on the sidelines taking in collegiate hoops action, even joining the panel during the second quarter of the FEU-UST game. 

“We just wanted to pop in, be here obviously in my first Asia tour out here to the Philippines. We heard there was a game going on. So we love basketball, we just wanted to pop in and get a chance to see a little bit of what’s going on,” Wade said. 

“I love basketball. I can watch basketball being played anywhere at any time… So today, just to be able to take an opportunity to come here, sit and watch a little bit of the game is something I wanted to do,” he added. 

While watching the Tamaraws and Tigers match, Wade looked back on his time in Marquette University when he was just dreaming of making it to the NBA. 

“I’m a firm believer in dreaming. And putting your visions out there. I’m sure not every player, but most players that play in college, their dream is to go to the top level. And the top level in sports is the NBA, and I was no different. But you can’t get there unless you take care of what’s happening right here,” he said. 

“And so it’s really good to see people at the beginning of the dream. You don’t know what leagues you may end up in and where you’re going to play, but I just love being able to see the. The raw, the time where everything was just simple. It’s before you become a professional when it’s just about the enjoyment of the game,” Wade added. 

The three-time NBA champion even shared his thoughts on the Tamaraws and the Tigers, as well as the Filipino brand of basketball. 

“First of all, the love of the game is what comes across most of anything. But yeah, it’s great guard play. We all know that here in the Philippines. And just even yesterday, just being out in the community yesterday with my event, you could see the young kids, the guards, who’s really, really talented,” he said. 

“It is great guard play. You could see that. With the pace up and down. Obviously, you can see with the big guys, they have a role and responsibility. It’s not to shoot threes like that, it’s to pick, it’s to roll, it’s to take care of the boards and protect the paint,” Wade explained. 

The NBA legend touched upon how he connected with the Filipino fans through the sport that changed his and his family’s life. 

While his visit has been years in the making, Wade believes it’s the right time to come to the Philippines and experience the deep-rooted passion for the sport firsthand. 

“There’s so many life lessons in a game, and I think that’s why I have connected with the fan base in the Philippines because I’ve worn that on my sleeve in a sense of living life through the sport and everything that the sport has done for me,” he said. 

“And so I love it. I’ve been having an incredible time. Here, my team and I, and you know, this is just our first time, so we get in the lay of the land, and we can’t wait to be able to have more opportunities to come back,” Wade added. 

Following his stint on the panel, Wade spoke to the audience present during halftime.  

The Miami Heat icon expressed gratitude anew to the Filipinos for the love and passion they have for the game and for him as well.  

“Thank you guys for the love. And it’s been a love fest for a very long time from afar. People have been talking to me, writing me, telling me to come to the Philippines. Come to the Philippines. We love you. We love you. And as soon as the wheels touch down, I felt exactly that. I felt that love. And so all I’ve done here is just try to come here and give that love back,” Wade said. 

“This will not be our last time. And so we’re just trying to come understand the culture, see how we can give back to it. The game of basketball is where I love language lies. And we want to make sure that we’re always doing that. But at the same time, we want to build here as well. And so I’m looking forward to it,” he shared. 

Wade has been in the country since Monday for the TADHANA: Make Your Own Way Manila Tour, marking his first-ever visit to the Philippines.