Gilas triumph over Iran more than just another win

MANILA, Philippines – For years, the big brother bullied the little brother.

Big bro was too big, too fast, too strong, too good. Following one defeat after the other, the little bro would say, “maybe next time.” But next time would follow the same script, even as little brother continued to get better as each year passed.

Sometimes it felt like the same result would just transpire over and over again. Maybe that was just how the basketball gods planned it out to be.

Apparently not.

On Monday, September 28, 2015 – a day that fans of Philippine basketball will remember for years – the little brother finally beat big brother at the CSWC Dayun in Changsha, China. Years later, the Philippines finally came away with their hands raised in victory over Iran; not the other way around. Was it more prolific than any other win? Absolutely. Emotional? Definitely.

The last time they beat Iran before Monday? It was in the 2012 William Jones Cup. That was a squad that didn’t have Hamed Haddadi in uniform.

The last time they beat Haddadi? It was in the 2011 edition of the same tournament, 73-59. But it’s just not the same. For as competitive and fun as the Jones Cup is, it’s not FIBA Asia. It’s just not as special.

Monday? That was very special. It’s a day about 98 million people in the Philippines, and many more around the world, have been waiting for years. Finally, the Philippines get their revenge against Iran. Finally, little brother beats big brother.

A giant of our own

For years, Haddadi’s torture of the Philippines had been consistent. Marcus Douthit just wasn’t good enough to stop him. Neither were any of the locals thrown his way.

But Andray Blatche was a different story. Blatche didn’t allow the Iranian big guy to body him up. Rebounds didn’t come easy like they used to for Haddadi, who finished with just 10 points and 7 rebounds.

(READ: Andray Blatche is Hamed’s Ha-Daddy in first FIBA Asia clash)

On offense, Blatche looked as good as advertised. He finished with 18 points on just 10 shot attempts, grabbed 7 rebounds, and had just one turnover.

How about Terrence Romeo? He hasn’t been himself for most of this FIBA Asia tournament, and then against Iran, he reminded everyone again why the entire country fell in love with him in the Jones Cup, and why Asian rivals of the Philippines had started to fear his capabilities.

When the stage was at its highest – Gilas needing a spark in the third quarter against Iran – Romeo was, unsurprisingly, at his best. He scored 8 straight points to commence the team’s game winning rally. Vintage Romeo. 

Another player who was vintage? Castro. He was stupendous against Iran. He arrived in the FIBA stage in 2013, earning the monicker as the best point guard in Asia. And on Monday, against Mehdi Kamrani – his chief rival for that honor – he placed the stamp on his title.

Castro was undenied attacking the rim in the first half. When he was left open, he hit 3-pointers with ease – a trait he didn’t have in 2013. When it came to sealing the game down the wire, there he was, spinning his way to the rim, hitting floaters, dropping passes, making layups. It was The Blur at his best. The Blur that will haunt these Iranians for days to come.

Castro finished with 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting. Romeo accounted for 15 and 3 3-pointers. 

But the real star of the night? It was the defense.

Those entry passes that Iran used to throw to Haddadi with ease in years past? Gone. Every time Kamrani would try to feed a big man, there were 3 Gilas players in blue and white surrounding him, ready to poke at the ball and give him no inch of breathing room. 

Gilas players perfectly read passing lanes. They were up on the grill of each Iran player in the second half. Iran shot just 40% from the field. They threw away the ball 16 times. Gilas had 12 steals and 5 blocks. They put up 19 points off turnovers. Their offense was a thing of beauty, but the defense was a masterpiece.

And how about Calvin Abueva? The Beast belongs on the international stage. Gilas needs him. No one else could spark a rally by being dominant on the break like he is. No one else has more cojones to step up right on the face of international opponents taller than him after a rough foul or to defend his teammate. No one can ignite the worst tempers from the opposition like he can.

Want proof? Just ask Haddadi, who after committing a foul on the break worthy of an unsportsmanlike call with 3:52 to go was called for a technical foul after a fit of rage. It was his fifth foul of the game, and off to the bench he was, where he watched his team’s dominance over the Philippines come to an end.

From Blatche to Castro to Romeo to Abueva to Gabe Norwood to Marc Pingris and everyone else in that team, including Tab Baldwin who drew up a terrific game plan, Gilas was at their best on Monday. 

What did the victory mean? In the standings, it’s just another win. The gold medal and a ticket to Rio for the Olympics are still far from certain. These Iranians will be back, and they’ll be hungry for vengeance. After all, they are the defending champions for a reason, and if they go down, they won’t do it without a fight. The road to FIBA Asia gold still goes through them, and Gilas will likely have to do that in the finals, unless China makes things interesting.

But Monday’s victory was more than just another W on Gilas’ win-loss record. Two years after the curse of Korea was broken, the Philippines finally broke through the wall that are Haddadi and Iran. And if – when – these two teams meet again, Blatche and the rest of the boys will have the confidence knowing they can and have beat Iran. 

As seconds melted off the game clock and victory was assured for the oppisiton, the camera focused on the faces of Haddadi and Nik Khahbahrami on Iran’s bench. More than annoyed, they looked shocked. They knew of how good Gilas was entering the tournament, but Monday’s victory exemplified it: the Philippines is coming for Iran’s gold.

Little brother is coming for big brother’s title. – Rappler.com