All eyes on Gilas five this week

IT WAS only a tune-up game but the trappings of an international tournament were definitely there as Gilas Pilipinas played against Turkey at Mall of Asia Arena last Friday.

The Fiba protocol was followed and teams lined up for national anthems and the exchange of souvenirs before the ball was thrown in the air.

It was a dry run not only for Gilas but Philippine basketball as well. In fact, before the game, the fancied French team practiced on the MoA Arena floor and quietly requested that no video be taken of the run-through. This was observed but did not prevent star struck and knowledgeable TV crew and facility personnel from looking on.

The analysis of the 84-76 loss to the taller Turks ranked eighth in the world has already been punched out. Recah Trinidad’s piece yesterday correctly pointed out that Gilas has to nail a bigger chunk of their free throws and not throw the ball away too often. PBA chief statistics man Fidel Mangonon responded to my tweet about the free throws, saying that missed charities have been a familiar eyesore for Gilas.

But here’s the bigger stake in these Olympic Qualifying Games, which is one of three being held in the world to look for just three teams for the Rio de Janeiro games in August: The world’s eyes will be on us and on our ability to host an international event.

We’ve already proven to be capable hosts in the Fiba Asia in 2013. But this time around, although only five world ranked teams are coming to Manila, it still feels like the world is coming to our doorsteps.

Basketball’s global popularity, at best second to football’s mind boggling following, will be at full play in this week’s tournament. The five teams and the rest of the world should be pleasantly thrilled that we Filipinos breathe and live this global game. Because of the NBA’s worldwide popularity and its explosion on social media, Filipinos know the stars who are coming to town. Tony Parker of France is already here and Canada’s Tristan Thompson, a member of the recently crowned Cleveland Cavaliers, will be known as well.

Even the supposedly “lesser lights” will be also be known because they have the NBA badge on them. Just being drafted into the biggest basketball league in the world is an acknowledgement of their talent and potential to play against the best players.

The basketball puso (heart) that anchored our pitch for the 2018 world games will be in the Gilas games and even those that will not feature the Philippines. Ticket prices to the games have not been affordable but that will not prevent diehard Pinoy hoop fans from watching the NBA stars from other countries play on our court.

Philippine games are the main games on July 5 (versus France) and July 6 (versus New Zealand) but the earlier matches like Turkey against Canada and the main game on July 7 featuring New Zealand against France should be treats for all fans.

The basketball world, even a small slice of it, is here this week and will be treated to a passion best appreciated up close and personal. Maybe in the future, when there might be more game venues, the hoop world could consider hosting its quadrennial championship here where there can never be enough basketball.