I’VE been wanting to watch the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament at the Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City, which starts today. I was ecstatic at the idea of seeing how our Gilas Pilipinas would compete against elite teams from around the world. But when the prices of the tickets were announced, my euphoria died down. I guess this once-in-a-lifetime sports event would take place without me on the sidelines.
Participating teams France, Canada, Turkey, New Zealand and Senegal have arrived in Manila. Overall, there are 18 countries in the three qualifying tournaments. The two others are hosted by Serbia and Italy simultaneously.
Only the champion in each tournament will earn a slot in the 2016 Rio Olympics. That means Gilas will have to lord over in the Philippine edition of qualifiers, a fate that is downright impossible to achieve.
SBP, headed by Manny Pangilinan, has assembled the cream of the crop in Philippine basketball in short notice. As preparation, Gilas Pilipinas went to Europe for two weeks to compete with tough international teams in Bologna, Italy. Despite a dismal performance, coach Tab Baldwin announced, with great hope, the highly anticipated 12 players of Gilas.
Leading the team is naturalized center Andray Blatche, together with Asia’s best point guard Jason Castro, and two-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo. The others are Japeth Aguilar, Jeff Chan, Ranidel De Ocampo, Gabe Norwood, Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., Marc Pingris, Ryan Reyes, Terence Romeo, and Troy Rosario. Calvin “Beast” Abueva and Jones Cup MVP L.A. Tenorio did not make it to the list. As to why Abueva and Tenorio were cut, only Baldwin knows.
To be honest, I think Gilas’ chance of competing in the Rio Olympics is practically nil; . Gilas’ opening game with Fiba No. 5 and NBA-laden France is a no-brainer. With Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), Boris Diaw (Golden State Warriors), Nicolas Batum (Charlotte Hornets), and Joffrey Lauvergne (Denver Nuggets) on the French team, our national team is facing a monstrous tornado.
And, even if Gilas wins against New Zealand, who’d play without Steven Adams (Oklahoma City Thunder) and advance to the second round, Canada and Turkey are sleek butchers in waiting.
In two friendlies against Turkey, Gilas lost miserably. After a 35-point blow-out loss in Istanbul a few weeks ago, Gilas played well and looked better in their loss to the Turks in Manila recently. But Gilas is still struggling as a team. How much more if it will face Canada?
Canada may not be in the Top 10 of the FIBA ranking but its team is sturdy and solid. With Cory Joseph (Toronto Raptors), Joel Anthony (Detroit Pistons), Anthony Bennett (Toronto Raptors), Tyler Ennis (Milwaukee Bucks), and Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers) , Gilas may be reduced to a rag tag team. Surely, the road to the Rio Olympics looks bumpy and rough for our national team.
Worse, Gilas is newly-formed is and is at a disadvantage. Our team is an infant, so to speak. Camaraderie and team work are not built overnight.
Asked of his sentiments about playing against powerhouse teams, Fajardo said he believes Gilas can do it. Fajardo said he is excited to play and is not intimidated by any team whatsoever. Marc Pingris also said “Bilog ang bola and we all believe we can reach the Olympics this August. Everybody is working hard and I’m very sure our fellow Filipinos will always be there to support us.”
I truly consider the current Gilas Pilipinas as the best we have today. The roster is replete with talent, skills and the heart to win. Puso is our lethal weapon in our limited arsenal. But whether we will emerge as champion and qualify for the Rio Olympics is the hard question. The task is like finding a needle in the middle of a haystack.
Gilas Pilipinas may be inferior to France, Canada and Turkey in all aspects of basketball, but with our collective prayers, Gilas Pilipinas may perform a miracle. A miracle I will not be able to witness firsthand. Ferdinand C. Cañete, Pahina Central, Cebu City