LOS ANGELES — A huge Los Angeles Lakers fan, Alfonso Mercado alongside his girlfriend Karla Tipay, flew from Chicago to L.A. to watch his beloved team duel the Clippers last Saturday night.
Their seats were six rows away from the floor and they didn’t come cheap — $1600 for two.
It turned out to be the best $1600 Alfonso ever spent.
Before tip-off, Mercado, who is originally from Alabang, parked himself just above the tunnel that leads to the inner bowels of the Intuit Dome.
The goal was to catch the attention of superstar Luka Doncic and ask him to sign the purple-and-gold No.77 jersey he brought to the game.
Mission completed.
One of the nicest stars in the NBA, Doncic happily obliged and Mercado carted home a priceless gift of a lifetime.
Doncic had a quiet 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting in 20 minutes of action. He also had four turnovers against only two assists as the Lakers fell, 103-88.
Despite the Lakers’ loss and Doncic’s off night, Mercado was grinning ear to ear.
Clutching the precious jersey in his hands as the “Battle of Los Angeles” played out, there was nothing that could ruin his Saturday night.
