Condolences to the Reyes' family |
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The last person I spoke to in Granada after our win against Slovenia, before boarding the bus, was a middle-aged gentleman, friendly, smiling, always open to jokes, with whom I had met many times in and out basketball arenas: Alfonso Reyes, the father of Felipe and Alfonso. Unfortunately that was the last time that I will ever chat and joke with him. I remember laughing with him about his son's anger towards the referee's mistakes in that game. He told me he was going to to spend a few days in Ubeda, his village, and that his wife couldn't attend the game because she was also in Cordoba, and that they would have come to see us in Lithuania; I asked him laughing not to be angry at me whenever I will recall his son on the bench, because his energy and passion in the stands were well known by all: because they were coming from such a nice guy they were remarks always taken with joy and laughter. It's always sad to say goodbye to a person, and even more in this case being him the father of one of my players and of another former basketball player whom I have known and appreciated, Alfonso. Having gone through this a few years ago, I know that words do little to comfort the loved ones who are left behind. Still, I want to remember that gentleman, who gave me a hug off the bus in Granada thinking he would enjoy a few happy days in his village followed by another adventure watching his son play in Lithuania in the European Championship. From wherever he is, he will surely not miss a game. |
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