Gilas earns respect, admiration in Croatia loss

MANILA, Philippines – First, it was shock. Then it turned into joy when news filtered out that the Philippines lost to Croatia in overtime, 81-78.

“What? We lost by a slim margin?,” was the first reaction of former national coach Nic Jorge when told by Rappler of the event that stunned Filipino cage fans Saturday evening from Barcelona. 

“We had a clinic, so I wasn’t able to watch,” regretted Jorge, founder of the famous Milo Best. As it was recounted to him, Jorge said; “Sayang!” (READ: Rappler’s stories and updates on FIBA)

Jorge said the 1978 team also met Yugoslavia in the first game of the quarterfinals, since the country as hosts, were seeded into that stage. “We were worn down after being slightly behind in the first half.”

Padim Israel, one of  the three centers of that last Philippine team to compete in the world stage under Jorge in 1978, was also busy. When told by Rappler, Israel said:” Will there be a replay? I am so proud of them. For me, it’s as if they had won.” 

Disbelief reigned among cage fans in social media. Even reporters, like Joey Villar of the Philippine Star tweeted:” Oh, my God! Is this a dream?” Some scribes, who called a plus 20 bet for the Philippines, had to pay. 

Yeng Guiao, coach of Rain or Shine, told Rappler in a phone interview that “no team is going to take us for granted.” 

“But for me, and with what we have showed, everything will be a bonus,” said Guiao, a congressman representing Pampanga. “I hope we can steal another game and probably have a chance to qualify (to the second round).”

Another former national coach, Filomeno Pumaren Jr. was impressed with the hustle after the first quarter when Croatia threatened to run away with the game.

“We hustled very well and as a result our defense was a little physical. This is the international game. But I am proud of the boys even if the breaks were against us,” said Pumaren, an assistant to Baby Dalupan at UE and Ron Jacobs in the national teams of the early 1980s.

Pumaren pointed out that the last play, where Castro was bumped and held by the Croatian guard, should have been called.  

Israel said Croatia was famous for producing deadly shooters like Drazen Dalipagic, who was the chief gunner of the Yugoslavian team that won the 1978 world championship in Manila. Dalipagic was also the MVP of that tournament held at the Araneta Coliseum.

“They (Yugoslavia, Russia and other Eastern European teams) were strong fundamentally. That guy Dalipagic was something and they had big men. I looked so small,” said the 6-foot-4 Israel, who played for Ateneo and MAN Diesel, Toyota’s amateur team in the MICAA, before moving on to play for  four PBA clubs.

Guiao and Jorge said bringing in Andray Blatche changed the team. “Blatche is the player they need,” said Guiao. Jorge said Blatche is a good three-point shooter. – Rappler.com