Long journey to Spain begins

GILAS Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes flew out of the country last Friday to begin his work for the World Cup next year in Spain. He will be scouting potential opponents playing in Fiba Africa.

“I usually don’t do the scouting,” he said. “But all my assistants have commitments in the PBA or UAAP,” he said,” referring to his team of assistant coaches composed of Talk ’N Text head coach Norman Black, Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio, Meralco team consultant  Jong Uichico, and  FEU Tamaraws coach  Nash Racela.

He actually wasn’t sure if he would be able to make the trip but was surprised last Thursday afternoon to get his visa quickly for the Ivory Coast.

It will be a nine-hour long flight for him from Manila to Dubai. From Dubai he takes another 10-hour   flight to Abidijian.

He doesn’t have an idea yet as to how he will secure accreditation for the event  or if  he would have to buy his  tickets.

Chot  predicts traditional powerhouse Nigeria, Tunisia and Angola to make it to the top 3 of Fiba Africa.

After this trip, the Gilas head coach plans to proceed to   Caracas, Venezuela for the Fiba Americas  then proceed  to  Slovenia for  Fiba Europe.

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Ruffy Ignacio, PBA Legends Foundation USA secretary general, reports that the Asia-Pacific champion team from Iloilo, Philippines  that participated in the recently concluded World Series Softball in Kirkland, Washington have left for home.

The softbelles didn’t make it past the semifinal round, although getting that far was accomplishment enough, he said.

“Sad to report, in their semifinal game against Northwest (Kirkland) team, they lost, 3-12, but only after  some confusion and ruckus in the third inning when they were leading, 1-0. The umpire made three successive errors (judgment calls, he claimed) in the said inning, much to the consternation and pleadings of Iloilo coach Guy Fuentes, who almost ordered a walkout but was prevented by the head of the delegation, the District Superintendent of Schools from Iloilo.

“Even the audience in the opponents’ gallery booed the umpire, and were shouting, ‘Don’t do that, don’t do that to Asia-Pacific. That’s not the way we want to win.’”

“The Filipinas missed playing in the finals against the Southeast team from Florida that clobbered the Kirkland team the next day, 10-1.  Everyone agreed that the Asia Pacific team could have presented a more exciting and close championship game against Florida. In the closing ceremonies after the championship, the Asia Pacific athletes were the most applauded in the jampacked stadium. Clearly they were the darling of the 2013 World Series Softball.”

In the farewell party   after the series, Ruffy said well-wishers had to fall in line to wish bon voyage to the Filipinos, who despite all odds, played with class and decorum.

The athletes will have a four-day stopover in Los Angeles, Ruffy added, before flying  back to Iloilo and resume their daily grind—studies and softball practice  for at least four hours a day.

“But for these kids, it will not be only a life of school and sports. They need to help their parents earn a living by   selling fish in the market,  farming,  doing the neighbors’ laundry for pay, and the like,” Ruffy said.