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Estimate 350.000 people gather to honor San Antonio’s third NBA championship

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SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Fans of the San Antonio Spurs filled the banks of the San Antonio River by the thousands Saturday to give a raucous thank you to the team for bringing home a third NBA title. Players, coaches and their families rode in barges along the Alamo city’s famed Riverwalk, smiling, waving and hoisting the title trophy before an estimated 350,000 people.

The Spurs wrapped up their third championship in seven season with an 81-74 victory against the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, displaying the team play, poise and professionalism that have become the franchise’s signature traits.

“They’re not ball hoggers, they never quit. Even after they won, they strive to be better,” said Vanessa Martinez, 22, of San Antonio.

Hundreds of fans stood in the blistering sun for up to two hours to get into the Rivercenter Mall Laguna, where the parade’s 26 barges would turn around. Even before the parade began, the crowd was yelling “Go Spurs Go!”

The crowd erupted once Spurs point guard Tony Parker rode through the Riverwalk with his girlfriend, “Desperate Housewives” star and Texas native Eva Longoria, and hoisted up the title trophy over his head.

Other Spurs players signaled No. 1 with the fingers to the crowd while fans wedged themselves in the balconies and sidewalks, stretching their necks to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

Brent Barry stepped off from one of the barges with his wife and son, who was clutching one of the team’s three title trophies. And a normally stoic Tim Duncan appeared in the final barge with a smile from ear to ear, his hand resting on the 2005 championship trophy.

The celebration was expected to cap off at the Alamodome late Saturday.

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