Can Gilas Pilipinas enter the second phase?
By Jesus. A. Garcia Jr.
I had planned on traveling to Bocaue, Bulacan to watch the opening day of the much-awaited FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 at Philippine Arena. But I changed my mind after reading a news report that the opening salvo of the double-header games will be beamed live locally on two television networks. So, I decided to stay home and save me the stress and travel expenses and will just watch the two matches with my neighbors and friends hopefully with bottles of beer.
Actually, it’s been my habit to go and watch world sporting events whether boxing, cycling and basketball, my three favorite sports in life. I watched the farewell basketball match of the two well-known Philippine professional giant commercial firms the arch-rivals Crispa and Toyota of the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) then dubbed as “The Last Hurrah” in Guam. I also watched the 12-round international boxing battle between Mexican pride and conqueror of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, the former welterweight world champion Juan Manuel Marquez and Filipino lightweight Asian titleholder Jimrex Jaca, who the former knocked out in the 9th round held in Hidalgo, Texas in 2006. I was then with my Mexican brothers Rolando and Rogelio Garcia and my first cousin Dagoberto Garcia Soto. I also watched most of the title fights of ex-world minimum-weight titlist Donnie Nietes perennially held in Cebu City and Pasay City during early years of 2010s. The last that I watched abroad was the tussle between PBA’s NLEX and San Miguel Beer held at Coca Cola Arena in Dubai (Middle East) summer of 2018 with my nephew Engr. Alexis Aquino and Umingan, Pangasinan pro cyclist Emil Pablo. Yes, I did all these travels because I am an avid and passionate sports lover.
But I missed the 1978 FIBA Basketball World Cup edition held in Manila because I was working in Uncle Sam’s land at the time.
Hopefully, our contingent “Gilas Pilipinas” will win at least two of the three scheduled Group A games composed of four nations. FIBA ranked the Philippines as 40th best in the world. The Philippines being the host of this world quadrennial basketball tourney is pitted against 23rd world-ranked Dominican Republic in the main event of the day that will be preceded by the tussle between world 10th-ranked Italy and 41st-ranked Angola.
The four Group A squads second hostilities will be on August 27 at the Smart Coliseum in Quezon City with the Philippines pitted against Angola and Italy against Dominican Republic. The third will be a tough task for the Philippine squad against Italy at Mall of Asia in Pasay City. While world basketball connoisseurs say the Philippines might have a chance to defeat Dominican Republic because of Filipino-American cager Jordan Clarkson of NBA’s Utah Jazz and the home court advantage, but most say the Philippines can’t beat Italy despite the home court advantage and the presence of Clarkson.
* * * *
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” JOHN 3: 3
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
