Who knew Gary Valenciano was a passionate basketball fan?

Earlier today (July 3), the musical icon posted a heartfelt tribute to renowned basketball player Klay Thompson who recently left his team, the Golden State Warriors. In his Instagram post, Valenciano expressed his gratitude to Thompson by elaborating on his appreciation for the latter’s role in winning four championships for the team. “You @klaythompson completed the equation [of Steph+Klay+Draymond]. Never was there a game that felt complete without you in it…” he says.

He further continued; “Sadly it won’t feel complete again even if GSW should ever win a championship again. I know it’s been an extremely rough and tough road for you sir in the year that was…and perhaps it really is time to hop on to another road with another great team like the Mavs.”

“I just wanted to take this time to thank you for the commitment, the passion, the loyalty, the hard work, the team work, the camaraderie, the love, and the championships you helped make possible for the Golden State Warriors. Godspeed Mr. Thompson. I pray you keep shooting, shining, and winning. Thank you, Klay!” mentioned Valenciano in his post.

Since being drafted into NBA in 2011, Thompson has played for the Golden State Warriors, marking a total of twelve years with the team — excusing the 2020-2021 season, which he missed due to health reasons. Aside from Thompson, Valenciano has openly expressed his appreciation for other influential players, including Michael Jordan, Derrick Rose, and the Chicago Bulls.

Just recently, ‘Mr. Pure Energy’ concluded his Pure Energy: One Last Time concert series at the Mall of Asia arena. In a glowing review, Billboard Philippines described the show as “the perfect capstone to his four decades in the industry” that “went beyond a form of mere entertainment to give everyone in attendance a first-hand look at an icon’s lasting ode to his career.”

Listen to Gary Valenciano’s iconic 1987 album, Moving Thoughts, below: