Basketball is not really our world sport
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
THE 38,115-strong throng that trooped to the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan validated our love for the sport basketball. As ardent aficionados of this sport, I never missed to watch the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 games live on TV being hosted by the Philippines as the main hub and assisted by Japan and Indonesia. The world governing basketball body International Federation of Basketball (FIBA) said the quadrennial meet this year with 32 accredited countries involved is a qualifying event for all the continents of the world (and the best of each continent) can officially represent his continent in the coming 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Indeed, but sad to say, our Philippine national squad “Gilas Pilipinas” did not make it again, just like what happened to them four years ago (2019) held in China: five losses with zero win! That excluded them in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games despite the presence of Filipino-American NBA’s Utah Jazz superstar cager Jordan Clarkson. Recall that Gilas was first humiliated by Italy 108-62, clobbered by Serbia 126-67, edged by Angola 84-81, pummeled by Iran 95-75 and dumped by Tunisia 86-67. What a shame since basketball is our top favorite game. Then, it was repeated this year despite the morale boosting cheers and encouraging words from the Filipino fans and Gilas’ familiarity with the court. As you already know, the hapless Gilas lost its four consecutive matches and was automatically booted out for the quarterfinals. First, against lowly rated Dominican Republic 81-87, Angola 70-80, Italy 83-90, South Sudan 68-87 and finally won their fifth and last assignment versus arch-rival China 96-75 in a no-bearing match to carry 1-4 (win-loss) overall card in Group A. Japan carded 3-2 win-loss record and was the best performer of all Asian countries involved and automatically earned the berth for the coming 2024 Olympics as FIBA rules say.
The failure anew of our national squad was another clear proof that basketball is not really our world sport notwithstanding our fondness for it. We used to offer the alibi that our team did not have the height each time our team lost. But today, Gilas had enough height spearheaded by our homegrown tallest cager Kai Sotto at 7’3”, June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu both at 6’10”, Japeth Aguilar at 6’9”, Jordan Clarkson at 6’5”, Dwight Ramos and Jamie Malonzo both at 6’4”, CJ Perez, Keifer Ravena, Scottie Thompson, RR Pogoy. Rhenz Abando at 6’2”. Height was no longer a factor.
Yes, we could be a podium finisher comes the 2023 Asian Games Hangzhou, China slated on September 23-October 8, but Gilas is expected to face strong challenge against fellow Asian giants headed by China being the host, Japan, Iran, Lebanon, South Korea, to name some, especially with the expected absence of our four FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 mainstays like Sotto, Ramos, Abando and Ravena who were contracted to play in foreign basketball leagues.
Meanwhile, Gilas assistant coach Tim Cone received the baton to handle the reins after Gilas head coach Chot Reyes resigned. I doff my hat to them for their decision.
I’m making this piece on September 7 and by the time you read this article, the much-awaited climax of this quadrennial meet is over. The five-time winner, U.S squad that landed seventh in the 2019 edition is my top choice or Canada to win the world’s prestigious tiara. Hopefully, I’m not wrong.
* * * *
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. PHILIPPIANS 3:8
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
