PHILIPPINE Basketball has just added another chapter of a colorful episode in the Asian Games and Filipinos are still savoring the moment.
Never mind if we missed the chance of playing for the medal, but this hastily-prepared Philippine squad coached by Yeng Guiao was able to pit up a performance worth emulating.
Guiao was able to assemble a team built for two weeks and in that stretch, he was able to guide his squad, coming up with a best effort against powerhouse teams China and Korea.
In fact, it was only the Filipinos who gave the Chinese a big scare in the quadrennial meet’s basketball showdown as the Rain or Shine-backed squad came one shot away from winning the game, one that could avoid South Korea in the quarterfinal meeting and eased up the country’s basketball team’s entry to the medal round where it could play the lowly-ranked teams.
Against South Korea, the Filipinos were two possessions away from pulling off a tough win against a squad that has been giving us so many heartaches for many years.
Guiao didn’t look up for excuses. Instead, he summoned the willingness of his players to play with pride and win their next two games and make the entire nation proud.
It’s not easy to motivate players knowing they’re already out of contention for the medal.
But players loved Guiao so much that he commanded their respect. Everybody wants to play for the man who was tasked to pinch hit and carry on his shoulders the big responsibility of turning around a campaign facing crisis even before the tournament started.
He was tasked to change the image of Philippine basketball overnight and with much gusto, he did it with aplomb. The fiery mentor made sure he will make NBA player Jordan Clarkson at home and in the last two games, the Cleveland Cavaliers guard was able to play better with his teammates in coming away with convincing victories.
In between all these success, one group which deserves praise is Rain or Shine.
Unknown to many, Rain or Shine has been a staunch supporter of the national team program ever since the PBA started to lend a hand in the formation of the Philippine squad.
When Philippine basketball needed a facelift right after the image was destroyed by the free-for-all incident against Australia that led to the suspension of our players and coaches and the ill-advised decision to pull out in the Asiad, Rain or Shine remained committed.
For about three weeks or a month, Rain or Shine was like a family reunited with its old coach who gave the franchise two PBA titles.
And they’re not done yet as the players and coaching staff of Rain or Shine will be tapped by Guiao anew for another mission — the next window of the FIBA Asia World Cup qualifier.
Clearly, when it comes to representing the country, there are people who would not turn their backs to play for flag and honor.
Rey Joble has been covering the PBA games for more than a decade. He is a member of the PBA Press Corps and Philippine Sportswriters Association.
reyjoble09@gmail.com
