FOR nearly a week, Filipino sports fans followed the games of Gilas Pilipinas in the 2014 FIBA World Cup like a can’t-miss TV series. It’s only fitting that the final episode has a happy ending.
Forget the four losses earlier in the tournament. Never mind the early exit. The 81-79 overtime win of the Philippines over Senegal in Seville, Spain on Thursday topped all that and more.
The victory proved that the country’s impressive showings against fancied teams Croatia and Puerto Rico are no fluke as Senegal actually beat them both. It showed that the country can really stay in the game against the third and fifth best teams in the world – Argentina and Greece.
For basketball-loving Filipinos, who stayed awake until the wee hours to watch some of the games, the win made the generation-long wait for global competition success worth it.
For the record, it was the country’s first victory in the World Cup since edging Central African Republic, 87-86, on July 12, 1974. The Filipinos have evicted two presidents and elected five during that winless spell.
There’s also something poetic in the fact that the Philippines ended the game without its naturalized player Andray Blatche. The National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran fouled out with 1:55 left in extra period.
Following two made free throws by Senegal off Blatche’s last foul, the Philippines scored eight unanswered points to take a 77-71 lead.
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo stepped up in Blatche’s absence, scoring four during the country’s decisive spurt in overtime while holding his ground against NBA player and double-double machine Gorgui Dieng at the other end of the floor.
It was reminiscent of the country’s defeat of South Korea in last year’s FIBA Asia Cup where naturalized player Marcus Douthit sat out the second half because of injury. That win clinched the Philippines a spot in the World Cup. It made us believe again that we could compete with the world’s best.
If ever the Gilas’ exploits inspired a movie, that victory over the Koreans would be the perfect beginning. Jimmy Alapag made sure there would be a perfect ending, too.
The country’s team captain, who announced before the tournament that the World Cup would be his last foray in international competition, secured the win with two free throws in the closing seconds of the game. Had he missed his charities, the result might have been catastrophic for the Philippines.
Alapag’s presence and playmaking skills soothed the nerves of his teammates. His ability to put the ball in the hole also helped.
When his teammates looked rattled after Senegal’s huge run late in the third quarter, Alapag settled them down by completing a four-point play to open the fourth. He finished with team-high 18 points, matching Blatche’s effort.
Sadly, he wouldn’t be around for a sequel. Noli Cruz
.. Continue: Remate.ph (source)
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