JAKARTA, Indonesia – Gilas Pilipinas may have earned the love of many Filipinos all over the world, but apparently, the team has also touched the hearts of basketball fans from other nations. 

Last year, Indonesian Michael James Olindo was in Manila and managed to catch the action between the Philippines and Indonesia in the 2017 SEABA Championship at the Big Dome. 

“I actually didn’t really know anyone in the Philippines that time, but until I saw (Jayson) Castro play, (Matthew) Wright, (Gabe) Norwood, all those players play so I was so surprised, so I started liking Gilas, ever since then, I started following them a lot more,” said Olindo, a member of Indonesia’s basketball youth team.  

“I was so mesmerized [with] how they played – a Southeast Asian country can be that good in playing basketball – I’m actually happy that they could be here.” 

Olindo was one of the many people who felt devastated when Gilas initially pulled out of the Asian Games due to concerns that it’s merely sending a token team following a FIBA brawl that led to the suspension of several players. 

But with SBP backtracking on its decision, the 17-year-old fan gets another chance to watch some of his hoop idols play live again. 

“Because of the Australian-Filipino fight, I thought they wouldn’t be coming here to play in Indonesia, but then they actually sent the team and they’re actually very good,” added Olindo.

He was even more ecstatic when he found out that Gilas was going to hold practices in his school, Pelita Harapan School. 

Olindo said he has been exposed to Filipino culture because several teachers and staf members in his school are Pinoys. The school’s curriciulum director Karl Osia – a member of the Philippine Basketball Community (PBC) in Indonesia – has also been inviting Filipinos in Jakarta for pickup games with the school’s varsity team every Saturday. 

In fact, the PBC helped Gilas find a suitable practice venue that allowed the team to hold extra hours of practice. 

“Sobra ang binigay nilang convenience sa atin para maka-ensayo, mga Pinoy na nandito sa Indonesia, pero hindi nakakalimot sa kapwa nilang Pinoy,” said Gilas head coach Yeng Guiao. 

(The Pinoys in Indonesia made it so convenient for us to practice, they really look out for their fellow Pinoys.)

Olindo told Rappler he’ll definitely be watching from the stands when Jordan Clarkson debuts for Gilas Pilipinas against China on Tuesday, August 21, 4 pm (5 pm Manila time). – Rappler.com