Gilas Pilipinas’ local players have come to fight

On August 11, 2013, Gilas Pilipinas faced what looked to be an insurmountable challenge. Fresh off an emotional victory over hated rival Korea and assured of a spot in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Team Philippines was staring at the daunting task of trying to defeat the mighty Iran in the gold medal game of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship in front of their thousands of fans in Manila.

Coming out with the victory, though, seemed bleak. Marcus Douthit, Gilas’ naturalized big man, was lost to an injury the night before against the Koreans. And while the Philippines might have escaped the claws of their rivals, Iran was another monster – one that had dominated Asian basketball for years, with NBA caliber center Hamed Hadadi up front.

With Douthit unable to suit up, pressure fell on the shoulders of June Mar Fajardo. Just one year removed from his PBA debut, the underspoken rising star looked lost in his limited time on the floor. Hadadi torched him on defense en route to 29 points, while Fajardo tallied a measly 1 marker.

Gilas hung on for a while, even taking the lead at one point thanks to the heroics of their diminutive point guards, namely Jimmy Alapag and Jayson Castro, but eventually failed to covet gold, 85-71, as another country celebrated on Philippine soil.

Nonetheless, Fajardo learned from the experience of banging up against some of the best in Asian hoops. The Cebu native tallied 16.8 PPG, 14.2 RPG, and 2.1 BPG in his second season in the PBA with the Petron Blaze Boosters/San Miguel Beermen and won the league’s MVP award in sophomore campaign. His game improved as well, with a more refined set of post moves to go with more ferocious effort on the defensive side of the floor.

When it was time to choose a roster for Gilas’ foray in the 2014 World Cup, Coach Chot Reyes brought Fajardo along to Spain. Philippines, obviously, has a disadvantage in height which made taking the 6-foot-11 big man along an easier choice.

In the team’s first game against Croatia, Fajardo played limited time as naturalized center Andray Blatche and Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar occupied most of the front court minutes. Aguilar underwhelmed in his time on the court, however, and the following day Reyes placed his chips on Fajardo instead.

With his team counting on him most, Fajardo did not disappoint.

Gilas lost in the early hours of Monday morning (PH time) to Greece, a much taller, more experienced, and more skilled squad. But Team Philippines never gave in, fighting until the last minute while giving the Greeks a run for their money, and Fajardo was a major part of keeping Gilas afloat.

Yes, the Philippines lost, falling to 0-2 in the 2014 FIBA World Cup. But on Monday, September 1, The Kraken was unleashed.

Release The Kraken

Fajardo looked more like a reigning PBA MVP against Greece than he did the scared unseasoned newcomer against Iran. He tallied 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks, all of which were needed as Ranidel De Ocampo, who finished with 4 points on 2-of-6 shooting, struggled to find his touch.

(RELATED: Gabe Norwood of Gilas: ‘We play to the end’)

Blatche put on another impressive performance by tallying 21 points and 14 rebounds while fighting through an increasingly debilitating right knee injury. Over and over again, Blatche looked in absolute discomfort, but repeatedly tried to walk it off and further showing the fighting spirit that’s making him a favorite among Filipinos more and more with each passing day.

Blatche needed help, especially against the towering bigs of Greece, which boasts three seven-footers on their roster. In just 10 minutes of play, Fajardo left his mark on the opposition.

He was aggressive and remained fearless despite the physical and rough play by the Greeks. He attacked the rim over and over again, demanded the ball while he was in the paint, and didn’t think twice about swatting the shots of Greece’s point guards away. It was a noteworthy showing, one that Filipinos should remember even after the World Cup comes to a close.

Similar performances by Fajardo will be welcome as Gilas aims to buck their slow start and gather momentum to end the preliminaries. Luis Scola and Argentina still have a date with Gilas (Monday evening, 11:30 pm), followed by 6-foot-11 Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng and his Senegal squad later in the tournament.

Entering the World Cup, the goal was to win two games for Team Philippines to advance. And what’s evident so far is that the team is capable of doing just that, with some luck and good shooting to go their way.

Sakuragi

Gilas’ mantra is well known: puso (heart). While everyone wearing the Philippines’ uniform has shown so much of it, an argument can be made no local has displayed more heart and hustle than Marc Pingris.

Pingris is, at a reported 6-foot-6, among the shortest power forwards in the World Cup. His lack of size at the four position has never hindered him from making his opposition struggle whenever they take on the Pinoy Sakuragi.

Pingris finished with 7 points and 6 rebounds yesterday, but what he managed to contribute goes beyond the numbers. Time and again, he was diving to the floor, hustling for rebounds and loose balls. When the game heated up towards the end, he was the first to come to his teammates’ aid. On some occasions, Pingris resembled a Pinoy Hakeem Olajuwon with his impressive pivots and post moves down the block.

(RELATED: Gilas and the Filipinos’ love affair with basketball)

There’s a reason why San Mig Coffee Mixers fans adore him. The entire country should feel fortunate and lucky to watch him go to work every game, never giving anything less than a full 100%. What Sakuragi contributes isn’t always pretty – he won’t hit consecutive triples nor will he provide highlight reel dunks – but his determination and relentless attitude is a sight to a behold; parts of his game that should demand the appreciation of the Filipino people, and in time, the rest of the world.

The locals come to play

The hopes of Gilas clearly rest on the burdened, battered shoulders of Blatche. But, at least on this day, the doubts of many regarding his focus and dedication have been put aside thanks to his performance on the court.

Currently an NBA free agent, Blatche risked his NBA future and potential contract offers by continuing to play despite his bugged knee in a game where Greece had the victory in bag.

But it’s clear that the local stars, who ply their trade for Filipino fans year round at locations like Araneta Coliseum and the Mall of Asia Arena, are willing to do their part for their country’s honor.

Everything they’re doing is for Gilas, justifying the immense adoration the fans have bestowed upon them. Aside from Pingris and Fajardo, Jeff Chan was lethal against Croatia (17 points and 4 steals) despite misfiring against Greece (1-of-7 from the field), and their other Filipino teammates must follow suit for Gilas to come up with a win.

Alapag, who at an alleged 5-foot-9 is among the shortest players in the entire tournament, dished 6 assists against Croatia and hit a crucial three in the second quarter that ignited Gilas’ run to cut the deficit to a respectable 6 points at half-time.

“We play to the end. I think that’s just our culture. That’s how we know what to do. We just keep fighting,” said Gabe Norwood, a Rain or Shine Elasto Painter whose pesky defense has helped keep opposing forwards in check.

As a team, Gilas must shoot the ball better, having converted on just 39.1% of their shots against Greece including 6/22 from three point range. Still, despite an average height disparity of five inches, Gilas was only rebounded by 4 all night, 45-41.

On the biggest stage in international basketball, the Pinoys have already made their presence felt, showing that they undoubtedly belong on the same court with the 16th ranked Croatia and the 5th ranked Greece.

With that no longer a question, it’s time for them to leave an imprint when the spectacle in Spain is all said done, and return home even bigger heroes than they already are. – Rappler.com