Atras Pilipinas?

Ric Maulion .

THE turn of events shocked the basketball fans in this crazy basketball country lately! Sorry guys, but there would be no participation to this year’s Basketball tournament at 19th Asiad Jakarta Palembang 2018 from Aug. 10 to Sept. 2, 2018. That’s an official and categorical statement from Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas!

Whatever happened? Ironically the once manok ng bayan chickened out from the tournament held once every four years.

The Philippines stamped its dominance over decades actually living up to its lofty billing as one of the most competitive basketball countries in Asia.

We were once bronze medalist in Basketball Olympics bannered by then  legendary Big Difference Caloy Loyzaga. The nation’s pride was also felt during the early 1970s with Jaworski, Fernandez, Arnaiz, Adornado, Atoy Co and the rest of the gang at the helm stamping our class involving All-Fiipino crew that denied the Shindong Pa’s South Korea dreaded Basketball Team the championship.

We were champion in 1994 at  Hiroshima in the region on top of podium finish on several occasions.

Now, suddenly, this reversal of events!

Gone was the resounding Laban ng Pilipinas mantra and the concommitant “Puso!” response. The puso is however still  there, and not the certified pusong bato though characterizing the rugged Ginebra spirit madlang people can relate and love to see.

How in the world did pusong mamon change that warrior as shown in that infamous “basket-brawl” against the Australians during the first round of the Fiba concluding window tournament? That got us the Fiba’s ire and stiff penalty, incidentally.

To keep your cool however before restlessness takes over against the powers-that-be, represented by the PBA and Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas big guns, hearing their side is in order.

TNT was actually first tapped to represent the country in the 19th Asiad. But with many players injured, officials offered it to ROS Team, owners gladly accepted. Coach Yeng Guiao, designated to head as mentor of the team, attended the meeting. Hearing the side of SBP and respecting their decision was the best he could do however. Among others, Gilas and SBP are still nursing the hurt from Fiba’s sanction. They are looking forward however to a second window. Players, too, were depleted as a result of that sanction.

Aggravating the issue is the non-committal and inclusion of PBA star players that should have formed part of the Philippines roster. Jordan Clarkson, as usual, has eligibility issues. The likes of Paul Lee, Pringle, Slaughter, Erram et al., are not available. Obviously, reasons are seemingly incomprehensible. But let us leave that to them. Blatche is also under suspension. There is a hole in the middle which is crucial in every game.

This what troubled Coach Yeng. Coach Norman Black, who was with Coach Yeng on that Power and Play TV forum hosted by Commissioner Noli Eala, shared a similar sentiment. Coach Yeng would like to have the podium finished undoubtedly. Besides quality of players improved and getting better in Quarterfinals, thus the need of securing services of the best players.

There were negative feedbacks from people like sportswriter Chino Trinidad. Why not just use “Team Pilipinas” instead of Gilas to drum up support and participation of Philippines on that important tournament? It is also held just once in every four years. Philippine basketball has already been there. Why not continue taking the challenge?

This sentiment is felt by the many. And there is still time to make it happen.  Walang atrasan, Pilipinas! Pusong palaban, all the way. Let’s just do it.