By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter
FEELING the pain of their “big brothers” and the entire nation after the country’s loss to South Korea in the quarterfinals of the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, the Gilas Pilipinas squad bound for the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has vowed to bring home the gold medal to soothe the pain of the stinging loss the Philippines absorbed at the hands of an old nemesis.
In the sendoff hosted for them by major backer Chooks-to-Go at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City yesterday, members of the Jong Uichico-coached Gilas SEA Games team said like every basketball-loving Filipino, they, too, were reeling from the shock 118-86 loss their FIBA Asia Cup counterparts were dealt by the Koreans, something they would like to make up for as they embark on their own quest.
“We all know what happened last night. We want to make up for our big brothers. We want to win the gold medal in the SEA Games so that when we go back home everybody will be happy,” said guard Baser Amer of the Meralco Bolts.
He went on to say that from his end, he has become more determined to do everything he can to help the team win and secure for the country its 18th SEA Games basketball title.
Like Mr. Amer, Kiefer Ravena cannot wait to start their job in Malaysia and begin the “healing.”
“The SEA Games got added meaning for us after what happened in the FIBA Asia Cup. We are taking the lessons of it. That’s basketball for you and sometimes things do not go your way. But all is not loss. We have an opportunity to bounce back and hopefully we get the job done,” the former Ateneo King Eagle said.
Apart from Messrs. Amer and Ravena, also part of the team are Kevin Ferrer, Troy Rosario, Almond Vosotros, Von Pessumal, Reymar Jose, Mike Tolomia, Kobe Paras and Ray Parks, Jr.
Also part of the squad are Christian Standhardinger and Carl Bryan Cruz, who will rejoin the team after seeing action in the FIBA Asia Cup in Beirut, Lebanon. On standby is forward Mac Belo.
ALL-OUT SUPPORT
Meanwhile, Chooks-to-Go, which has been a staunch supporter of the Gilas basketball program, from the 3×3 World Cup, Jones Cup and FIBA Asia Cup, reiterated its commitment to it notwithstanding the “shortcomings” Gilas has been having in tournaments it is participating in so far.
“Personally, win or lose, I enjoy watching our national team play. So the entire journey since January this year has been exciting for us and our organization. The Gilas program and team can rest assured that Chooks-to-Go would be supportive and behind the team in whatever way we can,” said Ronald Mascariñas, president of Chooks-to-Go parent Bounty Agro Ventures Inc.
“We are happy with the progress of the program,” he added.
