Director's Cut

     It was an anti-climactic close out game for Gilas, as poor shooting, especially from outside the three point arc doomed them as they succumbed to Al Rayyan Qatar, 71 to 64 to settle for 4th place in the 22nd FIBA Asia Champion's Cup, the Philippine's highest placing in 15 years.  Nevertheless, there was no diminishing the sterling performance of this young team, evident in the way the crowd waited until after the game to give them an applause they truly deserved.  While my penchant for verbosity can talk about Gilas and their performance endlessly, I feel it's best to take others' words this time.


Audio Commentary

• "You guys (Gilas) almost had it. Just a few more shots and you could've won," proclaimed ASU Jordan star Osama Dahgles after the Iran vs Gilas game when I ran into him at the Podium.  He was shaking his head in disbelief.

• "Like has been their wont in the competition – some might even say for the last three years – Smart Gilas displayed tremendous character and characteristic effervescence in the display of their sublime skills," according to S. Mageshwaran of FIBA-Asia.

• “I take the positive that even in a bad game we showed character to fight a team like Rayyan close,”  said Coach Rajko Toroman, when asked about his thoughts on Gilas' loss to Qatar.

• “We were playing a team (Gilas) of this style and speed for the first time in a long time.  It  took time for us to get our bearings,” Mahram coach Mehran Shahintab, on the difficulties of playing Gilas.

• It was a good gauge of where we are, except for the last game.  Great experience for the team and we will only get better and stronger! The support from the fans was great," Chris Tiu on Gilas' performance in the FIBA Champions' Cup. 

Deleted Scenes

• Was Marcus Douthit extra motivated against playing NBA vet Samaki Walker?  "The only reason I was extra motivated was because he started trash talking me. That's why," explained Douthit when I struck up a conversation with him at the venue.

• Osama Dahgles answers the most asked question about Jordan, "We won't have new players in the FIBA Asia Championships, but (Rasheim) Wright will be there."

• Just how physically fit are the Gilas players? "Very physically fit."  Gilas physical trainer Albert Gerald Rolle, P.T.R.P. reveals as much in this anecdote.  "Don Don (Hontiveros) was surprised in our first practice because there's so much running involved in our practices.  Probably the last time that the pros ran this much was when they were in college.  All our drills require running, in our transition game, everyone must run and no one must be left behind."

     With the close of the FIBA Asia championships, the games have ended, the feuds have cooled off and the medals have all been delivered and recieved.  There is one distinction, though, that has been earned yet not delivered.  It's time.  It's time to anoint Smart Gilas Pilipinas as our real and one and only Senior Men's National Basketball team.  They have shed the "Development Team' label this week through their sacrifice, skill, determination and heart.  It's time we give them the recognition and respect they deserve.