The city’s—nay Canada’s first ever NBA Championship parade for Raptors was packed with fans to see the champion team on Monday morning, June 17, 2019 (Canada time).
Thousands of fans flocked to the downtown core on Monday , June 17, 2019, to celebrate the NBA champion Toronto Raptors. Photo courtesy: Leonida Orivillo
The Toronto Raptors famously defeated two-time defending champions the Golden State Warriors at Oakland’s Oracle Arena last Thursday night to bring home their first title in franchise history.
The city has been buzzing ever since.
Fans try to get a good vantage point of the Raptors parade near University Avenue and Richmond Street. Photo courtesy: Leonida Orivillo
Toronto-based Boholano Leonida Orivillo and her fellow paisanos went to the area to watch the parade. She said that the streets of downtown Toronto were rammed with exuberant sports fans.
“I’m so glad I’m in a good spot at York Street & University. I was able to see all the Raptors players,” she said.
Another Boholano Kathleen Melicor Torrefranca and her husband Gil Sollano also joined the crowd to cheers for the champion.
Torrefranca on her Facebook carried the statue of the Sto. Niño and danced the Sinulog while the championship game was held last Thursday.
The Toronto Raptors victory parade on Monday, June 17, 2019 was attended by millions of fans. Photo courtesy: Leonida Orivillo
Raptors’ coach Nick Nurse and Masai Ujiri, president of the basketball operations of the Toronto Raptors were present during the parade together with Raptors greats such as Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet,
Canadian rapper and record producer Drake also joined the parade.
Raptors fan Leonida Orivillo who is based in Canada.
The official Toronto Raptors Championship Parade kicked off at 10 a.m. at Exhibition Place’s Princes’ Gates, where fans have already been camped out since the wee hours in hopes of scoring a spot with a view.
The sidewalks and roadsides running along Lakeshore between Strachan and York Street had been filled with people since early Monday morning.
The parade finished with a massive celebration rally at Nathan Philips Square around 12:30 p.m.
Boholano fan Leonida Orivillo who is based in Canada attends the Toronto Raptors victory parade on Monday, June 17, 2019.
Speaking at the rally, Mayor John Tory announced that a stretch of Bremner Boulevard from York Street to Lake Shore Boulevard West would be ceremonially dedicated as “Raptors Way” to honor the team.
Tory also presented the key to the city to MVP Kawhi Leonard, who accepted the honor on behalf of the team.
Kathleen Melicor Torrefranca and husband Gil Sollano during the victory parade. Photo courtesy: Keith Torrefranca
Kathleen Melicor Torrefranca and husband Gil Sollano during the victory parade. Contributed Photo
Kathleen Melicor Torrefranca was praying to the Sto. Niño during the championship game last Thursday. Contributed Photo
