Spanish columnist: Gilas PH deserves a win in Fiba

By: Nestor Corrales - 10 years ago

Philippines’ guard Jayson William (L), Philippines’ center June Mar Fajardo (2L) and Philippines’ forward Ranidel de Ocampo (4L) during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group B. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Gilas Pilipinas may have already bowed out of contention in the FIBA World Cup 2014 in Spain, but the Philippine national basketball team has captured the hearts and gained the respect not only of Filipinos but foreigners as well.

In a column written by Jose Ignacio Pinilla of Spanish newspaper Diario AS, he said the Philippines deserves a win before they end the competition.

Pinilla said the Philippines cannot end the competition without at least one victory, citing, “they deserve it.”

He described the Gilas players as “fast” and gave a “big surprise” in the tournament.

Days before their game, Gilas Pilipinas was ranked 23rd out of the 24 nations competing in the World Cup by the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN).

But Gilas Pilipinas has shown their gallantry and heart against the basketball world’s powerhouse teams.

On Wednesday evening (Manila time), the Gilas Pilipinas had a bitter setback, 73-77, at the hands Puerto Rico to lose four straight games and bow out of their first World Cup stint in almost four decades.

During its opening game on Saturday evening, Gilas Pilipinas yielded a 78-81 nail-biter against the Croatians.

On Monday morning, the Gilas Pilipinas dropped its second straight loss against the bigger Greeks, 80-72, while it tumbled to its third straight loss on Tuesday against Argentina , 85-81.

Gilas Pilipinas will face Senegal on Thursday night and Filipinos—and most likely even some foreigners like Pinilla—are hoping that they will be able to grab the elusive win before they end the tournament.