In a silver-medal finish that felt like gold, the Philippine’s national basketball squad finally accomplished the long-standing dream of making it back to the world’s grandest basketball stage as they booked a slot to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain at the expense of one of our fiercest Asian rivals, South Korea, with an 86-79 victory in the semifinals last Saturday.
A 71-85 loss to Iran in the championship match could not even take the luster away from the Gilas’ feat which saw grown men break down in tears after scaling a mountain that for years, was seemingly unassailable.
The victory was made even sweeter as it came against the team from the “Land of the Morning Calm,” a squad that long had the Philippines’ number dating back to the 2002 Busan Asian Games when Lee Sang-Min broke the Filipinos’ hearts with a buzzer-beating three-pointer that pulled the rug out from under the latter in the semifinals.
That was a game that’s forever seared into every Filipino basketball fan’s heart, vividly remembered like it happened yesterday. Like many that witnessed that game on TV screens all over, we were all anticipating victory as it appeared imminent with a 68-66 lead with just seconds remaining. All that was left was two free-throws that needed to be made by then guard, the normally-unflappable Olsen Racela.
But fate was not kind to our side on that day. Racela missed the two charities and Sang-Min burned himself into Filipino basketball lore by faking out two defenders, stepping under their outstretched arms and threw up a back-breaking three-pointer that found nothing but the bottom of the net as time expired which sent Korea to the finals, whilst sending Philippine basketball to a downward spiral.
But just like the Koreanovelas that many Filipinos pander over, Saturday’s game had its share of ebbs and flows that had the most eager of Gilas fans doubting themselves as the Koreans appeared to be on the verge of inflicting pain upon the host country when they took a 75-73 lead with barely minutes remaining in the contest. I for one, held my breath with every shot the Koreans took and zealously prayed with fervent hope with every attempt the Filipinos put up.
But this Gilas team had an upstanding date with destiny and the Filipino warriors, injuries and all, made sure to keep it. Jimmy Alapag, all 5-foot-5 of him, stood tallest as he swished long bombs from all over. Ranidel de Ocampo, hobbled with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear, played like there was no tomorrow as he drove down the lane and dared the tall trees of Korea.
However, nobody epitomized the Filipino fighting heart than one Marc Jean Pingris, he of the apt nickname “Sakuragi.” With an injured ankle along with bruises all over from skirmishes with much larger and bulkier opponents in previous games, Pingris summoned what was left of his strength to come up with a performance that will be remembered long after he’s gone as he put up 16 points and 10 rebounds. More than what the numbers showed, Pingris’ performance provided the grit that most Filipinos can relate to, and was needed to come away with this monumental triumph.
With this year’s FIBA Asia competition finally being put to bed last Sunday, we all look forward to August 2014 when the Gilas take the spotlight once again with a chance to go up against the likes of European powerhouse Spain and that basketball juggernaut called the United States basketball team. We are all aware of the dire possibilities that such match-ups can present, the most hilarious of which was shared to me by my good friend and t-shirt designer extraordinaire, Karl Caballero:
Kung magkontra ang USA ug GILAS preview.
Kyrie Irving vs. Jimmy Alapag = Lukapa ang show!
DeAndre Jordan vs. Junmar Fajardo = Kapyot ang show!
Kevin Durant vs. Marc Pingris = Amigoha nlang daan si KD brad hinaot nlang dli ka yab-an ug 50pts!
Kevin Love vs. Ranidel De Ocampo = Practice nag box-out pre kanang haligi practisi!
Russel Westbrook vs. Jason Castro = Pagwapohay nalang basin modaug pah!
John Wall vs. Larry Fonacier = Practice nag pakauwaw para maanad nah inig duwa!
Levity notwithstanding, we are all proud of the Gilas’ accomplishments, in bringing back the Filipino brand of basketball to the forefront. The future looks bright and for that, we can all thank the 12 brave souls that dared to dream and have the audacity to actually fight for it.
And for one last time: Laban Pilipinas!
Photo Sources: http://ph.sports.yahoo.com/
Jonas Rey N. Panerio
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