TWELVE gallant men in an incredible 11-day journey put Philippine basketball back in the world stage.
In an amazing run that stirred this hoop-crazy nation, Gilas Pilipinas claimed a slot in the 2014 Fiba World Cup for the first time in over three decades after securing a silver in the Fiba Asia Championship last August.
The feat shone brightest in local sports in 2013 as Gilas Pilipinas, bannered by Philippine Basketball Association stars, defied the odds against the powerhouses of Asian caging and electrified nearly 20,000 Filipino fans who trooped to Mall of Asia Arena.
It’s for this historic and remarkable ride that the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) chose Gilas Pilipinas as the 2013 Athletes of the Year when it stages its Annual Awards Night on Jan. 25 at Solaire Resort and Casino.
Mentored by Chot Reyes, Gilas Pilipinas will lead the finest athletes and sports personalities who will be honored by the oldest media organization in the country.
Gilas Pilipinas will only be the fourth team to be awarded with the highest recognition after Team Philippines emerged overall champion in the Southeast Asian Games (2005), the fifth straight UAAP titlist Ateneo Blue Eagles (2012) and Team Manila in the world softball championship (2012).
Brightest among the cage heroes was phenomenal guard Jason Castro, who earned a slot in Asian basketball’s Mythical Five, in those two weeks to remember where the Philippines also ended a string of international heartbreaks against South Korea.
Although Gilas bowed to Iran in the finals, the silver finish propelled the country back to the world basketball championship for the first time in 35 years since Manila hosted the meet in 1978.
It was also the highest achievement for the national men’s basketball team since the country ruled the 1985 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Other citations to be given are the Presidential Achievement Award, Executive of the Year, Major Awards, National Sports Association of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Sixth Man Award, Mr. Football, Miss Volleyball, Posthumous Awards, Milo Junior Athlete and the Tony Siddayao Award.
The gold medalists in the recent Southeast Asian Games in Burma (Myanmar) will also be recognized in the the event backed by Smart Sports, Milo, Philippine Sports Commission, Air21, Globalport, Rain or Shine, Sen. Chiz Escudero, Philippine Basketball Association, Accel, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who staged an impressive comeback last year with a clinical win over Brandon Rios, will be the special guest and speaker during the gala night.