"I didn't know we had so many Filipinos, although I'm not so sure if they live here or they are from outside the region or country and just following their national team," said the former Tall Blacks guard, mindful what it was like playing against other countries overseas but not expecting them to drown out the Hawks supporters on their turf.
"We definitely want to build a rapport with these guys. You can see how passionate they are about basketball and some of them might be even able to attend our trainings and perhaps play for us," Winitana said as Filipinos mobbed him for autographs and photographs.
The 13-member squad are in the country for a six-match series starting here and ending in Auckland following a game against the Wellington Saints on Tuesday next week as they seek scrimmages in a bid to prepare for the 16-nation Fiba Asian Qualifying World Cup tournament to be staged in Manila from August 1-11 and involving opposition such as China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, India, Lebanon and Jordan.
The Bay franchise had organised the game as a thank-you gesture to the Hastings faithful for their loyalty in backing the Hawks this season despite a dismal winter that saw the basketballers miss out in this weekend's Bartercard National Basketball League Final in Napier.
The vociferous Filipinos, occupying one half of the grandstand, drowned out the locals with their foot-stomping antics chants of: "Defence! Defence!"
Amid the din could be heard the irritated voice of Philippines coach Chot "Vincent" Reyes as he barked instructions to his troops.
In the final quarter, Reyes remonstrated with the referees after disputing a foul call by marching towards the back board to show his frustration at a Hawks defender for thwarting a shot heading for the hoop, amid boos and jeers from the crowd.
In fairness to the Philippines, they opted to rest some of their tall timber.
Two-metre-plus centre Marcus Douthit, 32, their naturalised player who holds a dual citizenship with his birth country of the United States, top-scored for the visitors with 13 points while De Ocay Po added 11 in the Jason Castro-captained outfit.
Point guard LA Tenorio, 28, who was the MVP for the defending champions Philippines in last year's Asian Championship, conducted proceedings and scored 10 points as the small men also found love with the rim.
The Filipinos tip off at 4.15pm tomorrow in the curtain-raiser match against a Hawks Invitation side before the NBL grand final at the Pettigrew-Green Arena, Taradale, which will start at 7.30pm.
Hawk import Darko Cohadarevic had a match-high 19 last night but Kareem Johnson didn't look like he'd sat out the season.
