Why Do We Do This To Ourselves?

Watching Gilas battle China for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship was difficult, almost painful even.  From the pre game and in game shenanigans, partial officiating, to the unruly crowd, to the shots that went in and out, it was a nightmare.  It was the worst case scenario.  It was watching a time bomb count down and any wire you cut results in explosion anyway.  It was like watching your friend or your relative go after something or someone they want when it was clear to you and to them the odds would never be in their favor.  It was like that scene in the Matrix, when the character Switch realized she was going to die because they were betrayed.  “Not like this,” she lamented.

As Gabe Norwood crumpled to the floor from a finger to the eye and the referee just watching the ball go out of bounds, there was really only one question.  

Why do we do this to ourselves?

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Perils of Being a Visionary

     Being a visionary is tough. By definition you alone (or at most, a couple of people) see the vision of greatness you have in mind and most of the time, you're labelled as insane, arrogant or foolish. (Props to you if you get all 3.)

     When Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) took over the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), he saw a grand vision. He then put us on the road to that vision by setting up the Gilas program. Gilas 1 was the 1st crack. Rajko Toroman, himself a trail blazer who led Iran to the Olympics, gathered a group of amateur stars to form a national team who would play only for the national team. It was ambitious. Gilas 1? A fourth place finish, courtesy of yet again a heartbreaking loss to Korea, was the Philippines' best FIBA Asia finish since 1985. No Olympic berth? No PBA stars? Internet 'experts' and 'pundits' had a field day.

     "Insane, arrogant and foolish," they said. They didn't get it.

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Crack in the Dam

     Everyone knows it by now.  Smart Gilas Pilipinas placed fourth after losing two heartbreakers in the semi-final and battle for third games in the recently-concluded FIBA Asia Championships.  As expectations are not met and emotions run high, lost in all the hatred, armchair coaching, finger pointing and disappointment are the important things.


History Made

     People stuck on the fact that Smart Gilas lost the bronze are stuck on the wrong thing.  Entering the semi-finals of the FIBA Asia is not a easy thing to do for the Philippines.  Consider the fact that the last time the Philippines made the semi-final was in 1987.  Since that time, the country has voted (in some cases, apparently not) 4 presidents, endured at least 10 different coup attempts, as well as participated in 10 FIBA Asia tournaments (missing 1 due to suspension), but the country has never repeated the feat. Until this year.  When one considers that, plus the fact that Middle East teams like Iran, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan emerged as Asian powers over the past 6-8 years to make the list of top teams in Asia balloon to 8, and the fact that the Philippines once placed as poor as 15th (out of 16) less than a decade ago, one cannot help but appreciate the efforts of Smart Gilas.  Bearing in mind that the Gilas program was on its third year, you have to tip your hats off to them.  China's core group of players have been playing together for 5-6 years while runner up Jordan is on its fifth year.  In short, the program is on track, needing only more time.

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The Human Condition

     One of my favorite lines in the Eddie Murphy movie, "The Golden Child," is from the Tibetan monk, who wistfully told his daughter, "These marvelous Americans, they have the power but they don't know how to use it."  It was too much like stereo-typing, but then again, there are some that make the line the cold truth.  Certainly, these three contribute to solidify the monk's statement.     


Blood Boil

     Some say that if not properly punished, the offender will be doomed to repeat the crime.  Barely punished two years ago when she castigated and threatened a USTA official, Serena Williams again unleashed her fury, this time on a chair umpire who gave her opponent Sam Stosur a point due to a fault.  Not satisfied with just arguing, Williams then accused the umpire of being the same umpire from the past, saying, "It was you."  It turns out, not only is the umpire a different person, she's not even from the same country! That just reads too close to "Y'all look alike." for comfort for me.  Being one of the few successful African American players on the tennis circuit, Serena is in a position to influence a tremendously large amount of minors who strive to better themselves through the sport.  Instead of showing class on top of her physical gifts, she once again showed poor anger management, lack of courtesy and borderline racist behavior.

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The Toroman Effect

      As Smart Gilas Pilipinas begins it's final push and with the 2012 Olympic berth at stake in less than three weeks, attention has unfortunately focused on Coach Rajko Toroman's expiring contract.  After October 15, Toroman's contract expires and the question is, will MVP renew his contract? 

     MVP is his own man and he makes his own decisions, but he has to fully understand the Toroman effect. As with great art, greatness is not in the flashy colors or the lovely shapes, but in the detail.

Skill Set

     If you watched the PBA draft last Sunday, you've seen the evidence first hand.  Seven of the first round's 10 draft picks were from Toroman's Smart Gilas, but that's not the evidence I was talking about.  Of course, since the Gilas players are composed of the country's best college players 3 years ago, they would naturally be picked early.  Here's the thing though.  Look at what the PBA is getting now.  JVee Casio has become a full time, clutch point guard, just three years after costing La Salle a UAAP championship when he couldn't buy a bucket to save his team in the 4th quarter.  Chris Lutz has developed a strong drive to the hoop two years after he was sought for just his three point shooting. Marcio Lassiter has evolved into a defensive hound.  Mac Baracael, who was known more for being shot at (with a gun) than anything else, has become a legitimate power forward who can shoot the three, box out 7 footers and drive to the basket.  Is anyone really questioning Marc Barroca's heart now?Jason Ballesteros's potential has gone from Samigue Eman to Erik Menk really fast and look ma, Dylan Ababou can play the small forward position and play D!  Yes, all 7 Gilas players would still have been picked, but without Toroman, the PBA teams wouldn't be this happy.  All 7 (instead of probably 3) have become legit PBA players with star potential. 

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Drawing Interest

     The groupings of the upcoming 26th FIBA-Asia Championships have been drawn and much has been said about how the Philippines got a favorable draw.  Here are other interesting tidbits about the draw.

• China, as the host (yet again), had their choice of groups and they picked Group D where the Philippines is.  Coach Rajko Toroman says it's because our group is the easiest and it's good for the Philippines, since we won't meet China in an elimination game until possibly the finals.  I say it works the other way around too.  Since 1990, China has never really blown away the Philippines in a knockout game, with leads averaging 9 or 10 points.  Now with Marcus Douthit and Toroman, they may want to avoid us in the knockout stages too.

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Bitter Pills

     Despite the gutsy effort from Smart Gilas Pilipinas in the recently-concluded 22nd FIBA Asia Champions' Cup resulting in a record 4th place finish, there continues to be brickbats thrown at the national team and its followers scrambling to defend them.  With Gilas' ultimate goal waiting in September in Wuhan, China, the country has barely three months to unite everyone to present a united front.  For both the haters and the fans, here are some bitter pills to swallow.


For the Smart Gilas Fans


Pill # 1 Smart Gilas players have yet to learn everything.

     As long as they have trained together, it's clear Gilas needs more time.  Too often the players try too hard to find the completely open shot, foregoing a relatively open shot and thereby stagnating the offense.  It's admirable that the players are very unselfish with the ball, but they should also be wary of passing up shots and later causing a forced one before the shot clock expires.  The next three months are crucial to these young men, as the multiple tune up games will give them opportunities to learn more discretion in shooting.


Pill # 2 Smart Gilas needs the PBA's help.

     Of course, its ideal to have players be with the program for the entire three years. PBA players joining the team after the Governors' Cup in August could disrupt chemistry but Gilas needs reinforcements. Each of Coach Rajko Toroman's choices for PBA help serve to plug the holes in the team.  If Gilas were a 6 to 8 year program then it would be fine to go all amateur, but since everyone wants Gilas to win this year or bust, then, PBA reinforcements are key.

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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.

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Spot the Difference

     Not since 2007 has a non-Middle East team made it to the semi-finals of the FIBA Asia Champions' Cup, and it figures that Smart Gilas, the team that could, is the one who made it.  Trailing by as many as 15, Gilas summoned the courage and resiliency I've been saying (for the past 2 years) they have to rattle off a searing run, capped by a Chris Tiu 3 pointer and a Japeth Aguilar 3-point play to seize the lead from Al-Jalaa Syria.  Then, they never looked back and held on to make history, beating Syria, 85-80.


     Finally getting into the Phil Sports Arena early, I got to talking to some of the spectators and it was truly a rewarding experience.

     Getting into the Iran-Saudi Arabia game at the 3rd quarter, I notice rabid cheering for the defending champs and I'm startled to see the score show a 25 point lead.  Judging by the noise, I would've thought the score was a lot closer.  I then fix my eyes on the source of all the excitement.  I meet Amin, a college student,  just one of the close to 50 "Proud Persians" in the lower box stands, cheering lustily for their dominant team.  During a timeout, we get to talking and Amin was a blast to talk with.  "It doesn't matter if they win or not; if they're champion or not," explains Amin when I ask him about Iran's chances in the tournament.  "They are heroes and we support them with our last breath."  

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The Sweet Escape

     It was a nail-biting finish, a crowd-pleaser I might add, as Smart Gilas Pilipinas defeated ASU Jordan, 76-74.  In a very physical game punctuated by great defense on both sides, Gilas grew up before the eyes of the almost capacity crowd as it used even-keeled play to steel themselves through questionable calls (lots of them) to victory.  With a significant win like this, there are signs to take note of on both sides of the spectrum.


The "Heart" in Sweetheart

1.  You have to give it to the old guy.  Senior statesman Asi Taulava once again provided plenty of energy for the Gilas squad, constantly banging with ASU import Jameel Watkins, inhaling rebounds and defending the paint.  It's almost as if being with the young kids of Gilas has revitalized Asi and it's serving the country well. If anyone doubts his FIlipino side, then you're not watching the game and how Asi plays.  He is as Pinoy as isaw.


2.  Give the newest 34 year old the Medal of "Valorie." Don Don Hontiveros waited until his birthday to unleash his breakout game, knocking in 6 triples and 23 points overall.  More impressive though was the fact that he came back to finish the game after his calf cramped up.  Asking to be subbed after his 5th triple, Hontiveros got his calf massaged, then came back and finished ASU off. I've always known Hontiveros was the best choice for a PBA guard reinforcement and I'm glad Coach Toroman and I were on the same wavelength.

3.  Someone get JV some "JW" Johnny Walker (Blue).  Receiving a tremendous tongue lashing from Coach Toroman for iffy decisions and botched plays, JVee Casio was a picture of a completely downtrodden man, or so I thought.  Casio did what real men do and that is step up to the challenge.  Shrugging off early game blues, Casio had a big second half, including 2 crucial short stabs and two big free throws to keep Jordan at bay.  That's our point guard right there and aren't we glad he's a toughie?

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Rumors, Facts and Humor

     In what was clearly their ugliest game of the 22nd FIBA Asia Champions' Cup, Smart Gilas Pilipinas managed a 74-64 victory over upstart Duhok Iraq.  Former Gilas naturalization candidate C.J. Giles saved his best game for his former mates, producing a 20 point, 23 rebound performance. Gilas, as usual, spread the wealth with Marcus Douthit (14 points, 15 rebounds), Marc Barroca (12 points, 8 rebounds) and Chris Tiu (11 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists).  Meanwhile, let's go showbiz with some "rumors, facts and humor."


Rumors

1.  Forget the salary cap conspiracies.  Joe de Vance has become a regular fixture at the Gilas games, and he tweeted some kind words about the team.  Since he's now Air 21 (or could he be headed to an MVP-owned team?), isn't it a possibility that he be released in time to practice with Gilas if Kelly Williams is unavailable?


2.  Coach Rajko Toroman was as animated as ever, especially with tons of questionable calls throughout the game.  He got into animated conversations with Duhok players Chudnay Gray and Qutaiba Al-Doori as well.  What were they talking about? 

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7 Pieces (of trivia)

     In Day 2 of the 22nd FIBA Asia Champions' Cup, Smart Gilas Pilipinas destroyed the KL Westport Dragons of Malaysia, 95-64.  While Gilas played listlessly in the first half (and let the Dragons end the 1st half with the lead), they came roaring back with tremendous defense in the 2nd, allowing the Dragons only 24 points.  To amuse myself in the listless first half, I began asking myself questions and I've come up with these 7 entertaining pieces of trivia.

1.  Dylan Ababou scored 6 points in 5 minutes 4 seconds in Gilas' first game.  In tonight's game, Ababou scored 5 in 3 minutes 43 seconds.  That means Ababou has more points than minutes played, with a ratio of 1.25 points per 1 minute. Talk about a scoring machine!


2.  Gilas now holds the distinction of not only being the 1st team to use all 12 players but also having all 12 score at least 2 points, as Asi Taulava and Jason Ballesteros scored today.


3.  Marcus Douthit played only 19 minutes and 20 seconds today, making this his shortest stint in a sanctioned game, since being ejected for an altercation in the finals of the Dubai International.

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Five Things

     The big news of the night would be Smart GIlas Pilipinas drubbed Saudi Arabia, 101-69, to auspiciously open their bid in the FIBA Asia Champions' Cup.  I think it's the least exciting of the encouraging news of the night.  Everyone expects Gilas to beat Saudi, but here are the five things I deem more exciting from tonight's game.

5. The Excellence of Execution - It was truly a refreshing sight to see PBA All Stars Don Don Hontiveros and Jimmy Alapag on the Gilas bench.  More exciting to see, though,  is how hard Hontiveros was playing to acclimate himself into the rotations.  GIlas was able to run a couple of sets with Hontiveros in, so it seems he's picking things up well.  Alapag may not have played but it was great seeing him consult with JV Casio about where point guards would go during a particular play.

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The Kids are Alright

     So, the 2010 Jones Cup has concluded and to no one's surprise, Iran came out on top, yet again.  The Philippines' Smart GIlas, ended up 4th, toting an even 3-3 record.  Looking at the Gilas website, seeing all the panicked, doomsday-like proclamations of supposed, "concerned fans," about how GIlas is doomed and how PBA players are needed for victory,  I was/am incensed.  I am not paid by Manny Pangilinan or Smart GIlas, but I truly support their long term plan for basketball.  I even wrote about why I would bet on Gilas over any PBA team when playing international tournaments.  Rather than rehash all my statements in that article, I decided to play the numbers game.


Head to Head

     Most of the comments long for the inclusion of PBA players, saying the GIlas players were, "less-skilled," kids and the pros would have the capability to do better.  One of the strongest PBA-backed national teams played the Jones Cup last year, so I took a look at the numbers.  Going by team records, Powerade (PBA) finished 7th overall with a 2-6 win-loss record.  GIlas, as menioned finished 4th with 3-3.  It should already say something about Gilas that they needed less games to get to three wins, right?

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