Gilas Pilipinas won over Kazakhstan, 67-65, in the basketball quarterfinals of Incheon Asian Games. But the win is not enough to push the Philippine basketball team to the semifinals.
The last game of Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games saw the team shooting at the opponent's basket to force the game into overtime and possibly create a bigger winning margin for a better quotient. I simply find Coach Chot's last ditch-effort a travesty of the game and the Olympic spirit. It is such a shameless act that truly speaks of the warped sense of value of Coach Chot and the entire team.
At the very start of the Asian Games, I have been so critical of the way Gilas Pilipinas tried to get its way through highly questionable means. The controversy involving the inclusion of Andray Blatche in the Asian Games line-up was just the start of something wrong with the Gilas campaign. The people behind Gilas Pilipinas simply refuse to follow rules. They were more concerned of winning the gold medal than following rules. And up to the end of the tournament, Gilas Pilipinas tried to employ shameful and illegal tactics to salvage its pride. Sadly, the tactics backfired and all the more dragged the team to shame. The way that Gilas Pilipinas played its last game in Incheon is really a sad and shameful footnote to Philippine sports. The team lost whatever goodwill it generated in FIBA World Cup with its horrible game against Kazakhstan.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
WHAT NOW, GILAS PILIPINAS ?
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| courtesy of sports.inquirer |
Despite its gallant stand, Gilas Pilipinas lost to Iran, 68-63, in the current Asian Games in Incheon.
Because of its strong showing in FIBA World Cup in Spain, Filipinos expect Gilas Pilipinas to win the Asian Games gold. The loss to Iran, however, casts serious doubts on the team's capability to meet expectations. Gilas has yet to meet defending champion China and perennial strong team Korea in the tournament. With the early loss, Gilas Pilipinas will now go through the proverbial eye of the needle just to enter the finals.
This is where media hype is working against Gilas Pilipinas. The sensational stories being released by the MVP group concerning Gilas Pilipinas sets expectations at an all-time high. The drama that the MVP group capitalizes on just about every occasion could very well backfire on the team and its officials.
Now, Gilas Pilipinas must get its act together and stop the blame game to live up to the high expectations of the Filipino people.
Friday, September 19, 2014
PLAY NOW, PAY LATER
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Gilas officials are just so happy that the Olympic Council of Asia gave Marcus Douthit the go-signal to play in the Asian Games. After barring Andray Blatche from playing, OCA granted the request of SBP, POC and PSC to replace Blatche with Douthit.
The fact however remains that the replacement is highly irregular. According to OCA rules, replacements are only allowed when an injured player is involved. Andray Blatche is not at all injured. Hence, his replacement is illegal in nature.
If SBP, and Gilas officials think that all is well now, they are in for a rude awakening. Japan, Korea, Iran and China will definitely allow Douthit to play. These countries will allow Gilas to win all of its games. But these countries too can very well place all of Gilas' games under protest. And with the replacement of Blatche with Douthit illegal in nature, the possibility of all of Gilas' wins being invalidated remains real. Gilas may even up end giving back its medal should a country protest its lineup.
It is just so unbelievable that SBP and the people behind Gilas are taking such a big and intentional risk. They are senselessly putting the Philippines to a possible international embarrassment with their action.
The fact however remains that the replacement is highly irregular. According to OCA rules, replacements are only allowed when an injured player is involved. Andray Blatche is not at all injured. Hence, his replacement is illegal in nature.
If SBP, and Gilas officials think that all is well now, they are in for a rude awakening. Japan, Korea, Iran and China will definitely allow Douthit to play. These countries will allow Gilas to win all of its games. But these countries too can very well place all of Gilas' games under protest. And with the replacement of Blatche with Douthit illegal in nature, the possibility of all of Gilas' wins being invalidated remains real. Gilas may even up end giving back its medal should a country protest its lineup.
It is just so unbelievable that SBP and the people behind Gilas are taking such a big and intentional risk. They are senselessly putting the Philippines to a possible international embarrassment with their action.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
OF SEX VIDEOS AND VICTIMS
A showbiz celebrity now knows how damaging to one's career a sex video can be.
Not too long ago, the celebrity was asked by a sex video victim for help. The victim was all set to file criminal charges against the maker of her sex video and asked the celebrity to be a witness in court. But the celebrity decided to distance himself from the scandal. He refused to be a witness for the victim. The victim, knowing that her case would be weak without the testimony of the celebrity, thus abandoned the idea of filing a case in court.
But in a strange twist of fate, a sex video of the celebrity surfaced.
Now, the celebrity can hardly be seen. Now, it is the celebrity who needs to find someone who can really help him.
Not too long ago, the celebrity was asked by a sex video victim for help. The victim was all set to file criminal charges against the maker of her sex video and asked the celebrity to be a witness in court. But the celebrity decided to distance himself from the scandal. He refused to be a witness for the victim. The victim, knowing that her case would be weak without the testimony of the celebrity, thus abandoned the idea of filing a case in court.
But in a strange twist of fate, a sex video of the celebrity surfaced.
Now, the celebrity can hardly be seen. Now, it is the celebrity who needs to find someone who can really help him.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
"WHAT A SHAME"
Ito ang naging pahayag ni Coach Chot Reyes nang mapagdesisyunan ng Olympic Council of Asia na di payagang makapaglaro si Andray Blatche sa Incheon Asian Games.
Subalit ang totoong nakakahiya ay ang mga inasta ng pamunuan ng Gilas Pilipinas at SBP bago pa man magsimula ang Asian Games. Nagbanta ang SBP ng boycott sakaling di payagan si Blatche na makapaglaro. Parang iyakin na bata na nagbanta sa OCA ng boycott ang SBP sakaling di nito makuha ang gusto. Nang mapansing di patitinag ang OCA, kumuha na ng kung sinu-sinong padrino ang SBP. Inutusan nilang makiusap si Baumann ng FIBA, Richie Garcia ng PSC, POC President Peping Cojuangco at Moying Martelino sa OCA para mapaglaro ang kanilang dinidiyos na naturalized player. Nagmistulang talipapa ang Asian Games sa pakikipagtawaran ng FIBA, PSC at POC. Kapansin-pansin na tikom ang bibig ng PSC sa kung paano nila napapayag ang OCA na payagang makapaglaro si Douthit at Alapag para sa Gilas.
Ang mas nakakahiya para sa akin ay ang ginagawang pagtrato ng Gilas Pilipinas kay Marcus Douthit. Matapos itapon na parang basahan sa nakaraang FIBA World Cup, heto at muling kinukuha ni Coach Chot ang serbisyo ng mabait na player. Para bang walang pagpapahalaga si Coach Chot kay Douthit bilang tao at manlalaro. Gagamitin lang ni Coach Chot si Douthit kung wala ng ibang magagamit na naturalized player. Hanggang sa kahuli-hulihan, si Andray Blatche ang gusto ni Coach Chot na maglaro kahit alam na alam niya na di talaga puede.
What a shame.
Subalit ang totoong nakakahiya ay ang mga inasta ng pamunuan ng Gilas Pilipinas at SBP bago pa man magsimula ang Asian Games. Nagbanta ang SBP ng boycott sakaling di payagan si Blatche na makapaglaro. Parang iyakin na bata na nagbanta sa OCA ng boycott ang SBP sakaling di nito makuha ang gusto. Nang mapansing di patitinag ang OCA, kumuha na ng kung sinu-sinong padrino ang SBP. Inutusan nilang makiusap si Baumann ng FIBA, Richie Garcia ng PSC, POC President Peping Cojuangco at Moying Martelino sa OCA para mapaglaro ang kanilang dinidiyos na naturalized player. Nagmistulang talipapa ang Asian Games sa pakikipagtawaran ng FIBA, PSC at POC. Kapansin-pansin na tikom ang bibig ng PSC sa kung paano nila napapayag ang OCA na payagang makapaglaro si Douthit at Alapag para sa Gilas.
Ang mas nakakahiya para sa akin ay ang ginagawang pagtrato ng Gilas Pilipinas kay Marcus Douthit. Matapos itapon na parang basahan sa nakaraang FIBA World Cup, heto at muling kinukuha ni Coach Chot ang serbisyo ng mabait na player. Para bang walang pagpapahalaga si Coach Chot kay Douthit bilang tao at manlalaro. Gagamitin lang ni Coach Chot si Douthit kung wala ng ibang magagamit na naturalized player. Hanggang sa kahuli-hulihan, si Andray Blatche ang gusto ni Coach Chot na maglaro kahit alam na alam niya na di talaga puede.
What a shame.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
GILAS SA ASIAN GAMES : GILAS LAST HOME STAND PART 2 ?
Minsan pa, saksi ang taumbayan sa di pagsunod sa alituntunin ng pamunuan ng Gilas Pilipinas. Tulas nang di pagsunod sa alituntunin ng NBA na humantong sa kahihiyang Gilas Last Home Stand, pinipilit na naman ng mga tao sa likod ng Gilas Pilipinas na lumusot sa patakaran ng Olympic Council of Asia hinggil sa nalalapit na Asian Games sa Korea. Pinipilit ng MVP group na isali si Andray Blatche sa Asian Games kahit ilang beses nang sinabi ng OCA na hindi puedeng maglaro ang naturalized player ng bansa. Sa sobrang pagpupumilit, pati ang FIBA any isinangkot na rin sa usapin. Ang FIBA naman, parang tuta na nakiusap sa OCA para sa MVP group.
Tulad ng Gilas Last Home Stand, matagal nang alam ng pamunuan ng Gilas Pilipinas ang puede at hindi puede. Dalawang buwan na ang nakalilipas nang sabihan sila na hindi puedeng maglaro si Blatche dahil sa residency rule. Sa pagsumite pa lang ng line-up para sa Asian Games, alam na ni Coach Chot Reyes na sasabit si Andray Blatche sa residency rule. Simula pa lang, batid niya na may posibilidad na magkakaproblema ang kanyang koponan pag sinama niya ang pangalan ni Blatche sa line-up. Subalit tinuloy niya pa rin ang gusto niya.
Pilit na pinalilitaw ng MVP group na ginigipit lang ang Gilas Pilipinas ng Korea. Ayaw ng Korea na manalo ng gintong medalya ang Gilas kaya hindi pinapayagan si Blatche na makapaglaro. Subalit maging ang Korea ay di rin pinayagang isama ang isang Amerikano sa kanilang koponan. Si Aaron Hayes ay di rin pinayagan ng OCA na makapaglaro para sa Korea.
Ngayon, binabalak ng pamunuan ng Gilas Pilipinas na i-boycott ang Asian Games. Tignan natin kung hanggang saan ang tapang ng pamunuan ng Gilas Pilipinas sakaling patawan sila ng multa at bigyan ang bansa ng suspensyon sa pagsali sa Olympics kapag itinuloy nila ang balak nilang boycott. Tulad ng Gilas Last Home Stand, siguradong mauuwi lang sa matinding kahihiyan ang boycott na binabalak ng pamunuan ng Gilas Pilipinas.
Tulad ng Gilas Last Home Stand, matagal nang alam ng pamunuan ng Gilas Pilipinas ang puede at hindi puede. Dalawang buwan na ang nakalilipas nang sabihan sila na hindi puedeng maglaro si Blatche dahil sa residency rule. Sa pagsumite pa lang ng line-up para sa Asian Games, alam na ni Coach Chot Reyes na sasabit si Andray Blatche sa residency rule. Simula pa lang, batid niya na may posibilidad na magkakaproblema ang kanyang koponan pag sinama niya ang pangalan ni Blatche sa line-up. Subalit tinuloy niya pa rin ang gusto niya.
Pilit na pinalilitaw ng MVP group na ginigipit lang ang Gilas Pilipinas ng Korea. Ayaw ng Korea na manalo ng gintong medalya ang Gilas kaya hindi pinapayagan si Blatche na makapaglaro. Subalit maging ang Korea ay di rin pinayagang isama ang isang Amerikano sa kanilang koponan. Si Aaron Hayes ay di rin pinayagan ng OCA na makapaglaro para sa Korea.
Ngayon, binabalak ng pamunuan ng Gilas Pilipinas na i-boycott ang Asian Games. Tignan natin kung hanggang saan ang tapang ng pamunuan ng Gilas Pilipinas sakaling patawan sila ng multa at bigyan ang bansa ng suspensyon sa pagsali sa Olympics kapag itinuloy nila ang balak nilang boycott. Tulad ng Gilas Last Home Stand, siguradong mauuwi lang sa matinding kahihiyan ang boycott na binabalak ng pamunuan ng Gilas Pilipinas.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
THE BIGGEST LESSON IN FIBA WORLD CUP FOR GILAS PILIPINAS
The sight of hardworking Gilas player Marc Pingris crying says it all. Gilas Pilipinas fails to advance to the next round in FIBA World Cup after losing to gutsy Puerto Rico, 77-73.
Without a doubt, Gilas Pilipinas played to the best of its ability. Without a doubt, the team tried hard to win every game. While other Asian teams are being crushed to a pulp by their opponents, Gilas Pilipinas was holding its own against the best teams in the world.
So many basketball lessons can be learned from the Gilas experience. But the biggest and most important lesson, I think, goes beyond basketball.
Three hours before the game against Puerto Rico, I tweeted Gilas fans, officials and Coach Chot Reyes to a 7:25pm prayer for the team. The simultaneous and combined prayers, I hoped, would finally give Gilas Pilipinas the crucial and much-needed win. Interestingly, no one responded to, much less retweeted, my tweet. Perhaps, people found the tweet simply irrelevant and not worthy of any attention.
But in a situation where one tries with all his might and yet fails to achieve his purpose, prayers can spell a big difference. The biggest lesson, I think, in the whole Gilas experience in FIBA World Cup is the power of prayer. The team perhaps forgot to collectively call on God, thinking that it can win games on its own. That it has everything in its power to turn the games in its favor. But as results show, try as the team might, victory never came. Had Gilas Pilipinas and its fans been humble enough to acknowledge the greater power of prayer, I am sure the results would have been much better for everyone.
Without a doubt, Gilas Pilipinas played to the best of its ability. Without a doubt, the team tried hard to win every game. While other Asian teams are being crushed to a pulp by their opponents, Gilas Pilipinas was holding its own against the best teams in the world.
So many basketball lessons can be learned from the Gilas experience. But the biggest and most important lesson, I think, goes beyond basketball.
Three hours before the game against Puerto Rico, I tweeted Gilas fans, officials and Coach Chot Reyes to a 7:25pm prayer for the team. The simultaneous and combined prayers, I hoped, would finally give Gilas Pilipinas the crucial and much-needed win. Interestingly, no one responded to, much less retweeted, my tweet. Perhaps, people found the tweet simply irrelevant and not worthy of any attention.
But in a situation where one tries with all his might and yet fails to achieve his purpose, prayers can spell a big difference. The biggest lesson, I think, in the whole Gilas experience in FIBA World Cup is the power of prayer. The team perhaps forgot to collectively call on God, thinking that it can win games on its own. That it has everything in its power to turn the games in its favor. But as results show, try as the team might, victory never came. Had Gilas Pilipinas and its fans been humble enough to acknowledge the greater power of prayer, I am sure the results would have been much better for everyone.
Monday, September 1, 2014
MANALO ANG DAPAT LAYUNIN NG GILAS PILIPNAS
Nakakapagtaka na ang karamihan sa mga Pilipino ay masaya na sa ipinapakita ng Gilas Pilipinas sa FIBA World Cup sa Spain. Masaya na ang karamihan na dikit ang laban ng Gilas sa mga bansang tulad ng Greece, Croatia at Argentina. Proud na ang mga Pinoy na lumalaban nang husto ang pambansang koponan sa itinuturing na pinakamagagaling na bansa sa basketball.
Subalit ang FIBA World Cup ay patungkol pa rin sa dami ng panalo na maitatala ng isang bansa. Panalo ang batayan ng kagalingan at di kung paano lumaban ang isang koponan. Ang pagpuri sa laro ng Gilas Pilinas ay parang pagpapalaganap lamang ng kakulangan ng koponan. At ang kaisipan na ito ang kailangan ingatan ng mga Pinoy. Nawawala ang kultura ng pagwawagi sa patuloy na pagpapahalaga sa pagkatalo. Nawawala ang pagpapahalaga na kailangan manalo sa ano mang laban.
Ang pagiging talunan ay di kailanman dapat parangalan. Sa larangan ng palakasan, ang medalyang ginto o championship trophy pa rin ang dapat kamtan. Ang pag-unlad at pagnanasang maging pinakamagaling ay mag-uugat lamang sa paniniwalang ang panalo ay ang nag-iisang tanda ng kagalingan.
Subalit ang FIBA World Cup ay patungkol pa rin sa dami ng panalo na maitatala ng isang bansa. Panalo ang batayan ng kagalingan at di kung paano lumaban ang isang koponan. Ang pagpuri sa laro ng Gilas Pilinas ay parang pagpapalaganap lamang ng kakulangan ng koponan. At ang kaisipan na ito ang kailangan ingatan ng mga Pinoy. Nawawala ang kultura ng pagwawagi sa patuloy na pagpapahalaga sa pagkatalo. Nawawala ang pagpapahalaga na kailangan manalo sa ano mang laban.
Ang pagiging talunan ay di kailanman dapat parangalan. Sa larangan ng palakasan, ang medalyang ginto o championship trophy pa rin ang dapat kamtan. Ang pag-unlad at pagnanasang maging pinakamagaling ay mag-uugat lamang sa paniniwalang ang panalo ay ang nag-iisang tanda ng kagalingan.
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