Par for the course

Coach Rick Gibson gives Bianca Pagdanganan a tight victory hug. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

JAKARTA—Rick Gibson made his way to the economy section of a Philippine Airlines jet bound for here two Thursdays ago, enjoying the obscurity because no one really knew him.

Very few actually cared what chances the Philippine golf teams had in the 18th Asian Games.

Basketball and Jordan Clarkson, volleyball, weightlifting, boxing and jiujitsu are the popular sports back home and from which Filipinos are expecting their medals to come from.

Handling the national golf program for the first time, Gibson was actually surprised that the Inquirer sought him out for an interview.

The former Philippine Open champion who has called the country home, was adamant in trying to let everyone know that they have a chance here.

Make that a huge chance, judging from the way he talked during the three-hour, 50-minute flight.

When the Inquirer bumped into the Canadian again after that plane ride, while he was walking near the 18th green of Pondok Indah Golf Club after the country completed a golden double, Gibson broke down.

“What golf they played, especially coming down the stretch,” said Gibson after wiping away tears, referring to his young trio that made history by sweeping the women’s team and individual gold medals.

Yuka Saso spiked a six-under-par 66 with an eagle on the 72nd hole to clinch the individual title while Bianca Pagdanganan provided all the final-round help with her version of a 66 that helped erase a nine-stroke overnight deficit against China for the team gold.

It was the first time the country won gold in women’s play, having just three bronze medals in a long history of Asiad participation.

“Handling these teams (men’s and women’s) has been an awesome experience for me,” Gibson went on, tears still flowing. “It’s going to take a couple of days before all of these sink in. I’m just so happy and proud.”

For sure, Gibson, who wore the blue shirt and black jogging pants issued to all PH athletes and coaches during that flight, will not have that peace and quiet anymore on the plane ride home.