Gilas Pilipinas has back against the FIBA Asia wall

MANILA, Philippines – The final buzzer rang out through the Changsha Social Work College Gymnasium as if it were wake-up call to Filipino basketball fans. It was irritating confirmation that what had transpired over the last several minutes was not a dream, but rather the most unconscionable outcome that could’ve been conceived. 

Gilas Pilipinas, ranked 31st in the world, had lost to unranked Palestine, 75-73, in their opening match of the FIBA Asia Championship. 

The Philippines entered the Rio Olympics qualifying meet as dark horses to emerge with gold against continental giants China, Iran and South Korea, who still loom large. But no one could’ve imagined Gilas – being looped in Group B with Palestine, the 69th ranked Hong Kong and 70th ranked Kuwait – could drop a match in what amounts to the anti-Group of Death. 

It was the equivalent of Manny Pacquiao losing to a trial horse from Wyoming, or Francisco Bustamante being hustled by a kid at a bus stop saloon. 

The game followed the script early on, with the Philippines opening up a 15-point first half lead and naturalized big man Andray Blatche accounting for 14 points and 8 rebounds after 20 minutes. 

(IN PHOTOS: Palestine rejoices in upset win over Gilas Pilipinas)

Palestine had their own American-born big shot to carry them when things turned bleak in Jamal Abu Shamala, a 6-foot-5 swingman who had previously represented Jordan and played 4 years for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Shamala led a second half comeback that was boosted by a switch to a 2-3 zone defense that forced Blatche out of the paint and into the perimeter. There, Blatche’s size and agility were negated and he was reduced to a questionably conditioned big man chucking up 3s (of which he hit just 1-of-7).  

With the lane closed off, Palestine was able to exploit the Philippines’ lack of shooters. The Philippines shot just 7-of-30 from 3-point range, with Dondon Hontiveros going 1-of-6 and Ranidel De Ocampo going 0-of-3. 

Shamala stunned Gilas fans with a 3 that gave Palestine the lead, 72-71, at 1:35 for the first time since the opening moments. From there, it was a battle of heart and will that Palestine was unwilling to cede. 

The Philippines had one last opportunity to win, and it went into the hands of Blatche. Blatche’s 3 arced high, but lacked the distance after Sani Sakakini tipped just enough of it to make the shot drop like a failed North Korean missile into the Sea of Japan.

All credit is due to Palestine, a FIBA Asia-newcomer that fought for survival on the court with the same doggedness their nation had shown in their decades-long struggle for sovereignty.

Palestine had none of the fan support that the Philippines did. There was no social media-savvy mass that could make one of their slogans (do they have one?) trend worldwide the way #LabanPilipinas did throughout much of the afternoon.

The Palestinians won despite 3 players playing the entire 40 minute-duration, and only 4 players making it to the score sheets. 

Both Shamala (26 points and 15 rebounds) and Sakakini (22 points and 14 rebounds) outshined the former NBA center Blatche (21 points and 12 rebounds) in the end. 

As Blatche went, so did the Philippines, with only Terrence Romeo (11 points) and Jayson Castro (10 points) making it to double-digit scoring. Marc Pingris started but played just over 6 minutes in which he incurred 4 fouls. Calvin Abueva was able to absorb minutes, grabbing 8 rebounds off the bench. 

There are still two games yet to play in the group stage as the Philippines fights to avoid being relegated to the classification round at FIBA Asia for the first time since 2007, where they finished ninth at Tokushima, Japan. 

Anything less than a first place finish means the Philippines’ dream of making the Summer Olympics basketball tournament for the first time since 1972 is over.  

(READ: FIBA Asia 101: A guide to the Olympic qualifier in China)

Next they play Hong Kong, a team they beat handily at FIBA Asia 2013. Hong Kong showed they are there for more than a vacation by pounding Kuwait, 87-50, in their opening match. A second straight loss would be demoralizing for the Philippines.

What the men of Gilas Pilipinas said in their post-game huddle after the final buzzer sounded is something only they can know.

Each member of the team must ask themselves something in the few hours that remain between that moment and the beginning of the Hong Kong match: how badly do they want to win, and what are they willing to do to achieve that goal?

If there’s any lingering doubt, this tournament is as good as over for the Philippine nationals. – Rappler.com

Ryan Songalia is the sports editor of Rappler, a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and a contributor to The Ring magazine. He can be reached at ryan.songalia@rappler.com. Follow him on Twitter: @RyanSongalia.