INQUIRER Sports

TIANJIN, China – Aside from several dozen OFWs who cheered for Powerade-Pilipinas against Japan Friday night, the Filipinos gained the support of several hundred Chinese fans who stayed for the late night game even after their home team’s victory over Kazakhstan.

And not only were the Chinese cheering and clapping every good play by Team Pilipinas, they were also booing – and booing with passion – the Japanese almost every time they touched the ball.

In fact, after the warmups and before the introduction of players from both squads where the national anthems of both countries are played, the Chinese blatantly booed the Japanese anthem and clapped after the ‘Lupang Hinirang’ was played.

Some say the Chinese have a long memory, that they haven’t forgotten the time when Japan occupied their country.

* * *

Members of the PBA’s board of governors, led by incoming chair Lito Alvarez of Burger King, arrived Saturday afternoon to hold their annual meeting and plot the direction of Asia’s first play-for-pay league for the coming season.

It will be business with pleasure for the board for the first time in four years as it gets to see Team Pilipinas in action in at least two games – against Korea Saturday night and a still-to-be-determined foe in the second round of the eliminations on Monday.

This is also the first time that the board will hold its annual meeting outside of Macau, the gambling Mecca of Asia where the PBA team representatives meet in their last three meetings.

* * *

Despite the smog that envelopes this bustling city, Tianjin is still a sight to behold, with its architectural structures rivaling the best in the world.

Action in the 25th Fiba-Asia World Championship qualifying is being held at a flying saucer-shaped venue simply called the Tianjin Gymnasium, which can seat up to 8,456 spectators.

Scalpers ply their trade to anyone who approaches the venue box-office where ringside tickets sell for 200 yuan (around P1,400) each and gallery seats going for 50 yuan per piece.