You’d have to look hard to find a street in the Philippines that didn’t have hints of the country’s basketball fanaticism. A basketball court is a staple of most neighborhoods and serves as a gathering place for young men to perfect their latest Cyrus Baguio-inspired move. Jerseys with popular PBA stars’ names embroidered on the back are a ubiquitous fashion statement. Basketball on a television will draw crowds to restaurant windows as the assembled passerbys abandon their earlier plans to root on their team.
The country, for better or worse, is a basketball nation. It’s something organic that cannot be altered, even if we’re genetically better suited for sports that don’t require height. Basketball is a cruel woman that doesn’t always love us back, even though our devotion is unwavering.
Yet, as hopeless as it all may seem, we cheer. We put our hearts on our sleeves and make noise because they are us. They are a group of men who, like many others, dreamed of becoming basketball players. They worked hard enough to make that dream a reality and now are the international representatives of a national obsession.
At the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain, we showed the world just how passionate we are about the game. Against all hope, 12 men – 11 of whom are of Filipino lineage and one naturalized citizen with NBA experience – gave each squad they faced the fight of their lives. The team’s average height was just 6-foot-3 – the same height as the Philippines’ basketball icon Caloy Loyzaga, who played as a center for the national team during the 1950s.
But at the World Cup, where every team seemingly had a 7-footer but us, the Philippines cast a giant shadow. At one point, the world’s third best team Argentina looked ready to wilt against the diminutive Pinoys, having been blown out in the first quarter following a 12-2 start. Argentina coach Julio Lamas said afterwards that it was “the most uncomfortable game I had to coach in my life.”
The Philippines’ lone win over Senegal was celebrated like a championship win, which may seem odd to other countries. But after several close losses in games which should’ve ended with the Philippines on top, it was validation of all their hard work.
While the feats of our boxers, dragon boaters and footballers will continue to bring pride to the country, we’ll continue to scream our hearts out for our hoopsters, in victory and defeat. – Rappler.com
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