Pain and gain in Spain

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
PRIOR to our Gilas Pilipinas’ joust in this year’s FIBA World Cup in Spain, Filipino basketball pundits had mixed analysis how far our nationals can go against the Goliaths of the world. Some critics initially said we can’t win even a single game in Group B against the taller and heftier Greece, Argentina, Croatia, Puerto Rico and Senegal. They were wrong. Still, some experts said Gilas might win at least one game, to beat FIBA, 41^st ranked Senegal. They were right and Gilas, ranked 34^th best in the world by FIBA lived up to that forecast by beating Senegal by two points, 81-79, in a no-bearing match. No bearing because despite Gilas’ victory it could not longer join the second round for losing four times. However, despite Senegal’s defeat, the Senegalese entered the second round with two triumphs, beating 16^th world ranked Croatia and 17^th ranked Puerto Rico.

Gilas almost defeated Puerto Rico, 73-77, then there was our heartbreaking loss to Croatia, 78-81, through overtime and FIBA world 3^rd ranked Argentina, 81-85. Yes, Gilas was routed by world fifth ranked Greece, 82-70, but despite our four losses with single win in the elimination round, I believe Gilas earned a big applause and respect from the world caging including from powerhouses U.S. and Spain.

So was it “mission accomplished”? I don’t think so. Gilas head coach Chot Reyes’ original goal was to reach the second round and we didn’t achieve that. There’s the pain. But I believe that in spite of our losses we gained a huge big experience from it all and most significantly, we earned the adulation of basketball buffs from all over the world.
Our next mission is the 17^th Asiad slated this coming September 19 to October 4. Our Asian neighbors especially the powerful China, Iran and South Korea who will host this month Asian Games (AG) in Incheon, initially got a scare knowing that the latest presence of the newly Filipino naturalized citizen 6’11” Andray Blatche could pose a problem to them in the coming AG. But unfortunately for Gilas, and fortunately the three countries, the Incheon Asian Games Olympic Committee (IAGOC) disqualified Blatche for lacking three-year residency in his new home Philippines. Our national basketball governing body the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is appealing the verdict to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) who has the final say in the appeal. But my guess is, that appeal will come to naught. Let’s wait see.

But without Blatche I think our chance to bag the gold is slim. I’m not belittling the capability of Gilas substitute center Marcus Douthit but Blatche is much better than Douthit in all angles. We saw them how the two played.

To win the silver or the bronze medal with Douthit may not be difficult to achieve but to win the elusive gold sans Blatche is a very different story.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. II TIMOTHY 4: 7

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