CBA's Liaoning Flying Leopards aid former employee in Spain

Players stand in line before the game against the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in Shenyang, capital city of northeast China's Liaoning Province, January 21, 2019. /VCG

China is helping the rest of the world battle COVID-19 pandemic and we are not just talking about the government. The CBA's Liaoning Flying Leopards last week sent medical supplies including masks and gloves to the team's former strength and conditioning coach Sergio Perez who is now in Spain.

On March 18, Perez sent a message for help on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter: "We need your help, in Spain there are not mask anymore, all sold out since days ago, almost no people has even one. We have to do it hand made. Thanks China government sent yesterday 500,000 mask to Spain. But I think is not enough, we need millions. The situation in Spain, especially in Madrid is dramatic."

Having seen the post, the Flying Leopards soon reached out to Perez. The team learned that though currently Perez and his family remain healthy, medical goods are in extremely short supply in Madrid where the new coronavirus hits the hardest. Perez worries a lot about his parents and parents-in-law.

Screenshot of Weibo

The Flying Leopards immediately sent Perez the items he needs in two packages via express delivery, accompanied with a letter:

"To Mr. Sergio Sanchez Perez:

After learning that you and your country are also in epidemic, Team Liaoning is very concerned. Due to the gradual improvement of the epidemic situation in China, we have sufficient anti-virus supplies in the early stage. Here the club will send some masks to you to solve the urgent need. Again we have always appreciated your efforts within four years in the club. Remember that is everything is difficult at the beginning, but always ends well. We are looking forward to ride it out, our team is still strong and brave. Continue to move on!"

Perez worked five years for the Flying Leopards and made contributions to helping the team win the CBA Championship in 2018.

Currently, the Flying Leopards rank No. 3 on the standings table with a 20-10 record. Though it remains unknown when the rest of the season will happen. The hiatus has given the team time to wait for their ace guard Guo Ailun to return from injury.