Quibranza: Ain’t Gilas’ fault

WHILE writing this entry, I was hours away from joining the rest of our countrymen in mourning our National Men’s Basketball team’s whopping wipeout in the hands of the Serbians. Last Oct. 31, opening day of the Fiba World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas suffered a 46-point drubbing in the hands of the Italians.

Now for context, the Philippines is ranked as the 31st team in the world. Italy and Serbia is ranked at No. 13 and 4, respectively.

If—for some cosmic miscalculation that would send the likes of Galileo and Einstein rolling in their graves—the Philippines beat Serbia, rendering this article erroneous, I would consider this piece as my “magnum opus;” a publishing error worth framing and preserving until the next millennium.

But, no. Betting men would put their Thoroughbreds and left hands on the line looking at a Serbian victory. The Serbian National team has four active NBA players in All-Star Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets), 7’3’’ tank Boban Marjanović (Dallas Mavericks), Euroleague 2015 Most Valuable Player Nemanja Bjelica and 2017 All-Europe Player of the Year Bogdan Bogdanović (Sacramento Kings).

Now, if only for those last two players, I’d switch jerseys and root for Serbia. I’m a big Kings fan and I’m rooting for Bogdanovic and Bjelica to bring home the gold this time (at the expense of another Kings player in Harrison Barnes, who’s suiting up for the perennial championship contenders, Team USA).

But for now, allow me to fill this small space with a little post-game rant:

- What is Andray Blatche doing handling point center duties? We’re grateful for the past wins, yes. But most playmaking attempts by the big man were read and countered, and he looked lost at times on the defensive end.

- Coach Yeng Guiao fielded guards Mark Barroca and Roger Pogoy (sub .390 3-point shooters) with Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar and Blatche as starters. This lineup contributed 21 points, with Blatche responsible for 15.

- Coach Guiao called his first timeout with the Nationals already down, 22-4.

Now in fairness to a team like Italy, they’re just plain fantastic. Blatche could go ballistic and score 50. Still, Italian Danilo Gallinari (Oklahoma City Thunder) could transform himself into a player who ballers in the NBA respect, and would probably still carry his team to a win. Nevertheless, I guess what frustrated most Filipino fans was the fact that the team just turned the ball over too many times (a total of 23 turnovers, which Italy converted for 34 points).

However, it’s important to note that Gilas Pilipinas just had about two weeks to prepare for the Fiba World Cup. Time wasn’t on the National team’s side—as some players still had obligations to their teams competing in the country’s commercial basketball league.

At the end of the day, crowns are awarded to those who’ve prepared the most. The World Cup isn’t just some weekend gig. So if you think about it, this loss isn’t on the soldiers who risk life and limb on the battlefield. It’s on those on top, who think that the fiercest of sheep sent in will be enough to survive the slaughterhouse.

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