The big feat did not merit even a one-liner, a simple commendation, from Malacañang.
So how great has the Gilas Pilipinas national basketball team gone after its entry into this year’s (basketball) World Cup in China?
Who benefits directly from the back-to-back qualifying wins by the Philippines in the WC qualifier’s sixth window?
Al Panlilio, head of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), says he hopes the Gilas national team, which won one game in the previous World Cup in Spain, wins two games in China so it could advance and improve its No. 31 world standing.
For his part, coach Yeng Guiao said he hopes main man Andray Blatche, whose gigantic 41-point explosion pushed the national team up and away against Kazakhstan, would be available early, maybe next month, to train with the Gilas squad.
Blatche has reportedly expressed his desire to see action in the PBA in order to stay in fine form.
He would be a big attraction in the local pro league.
Truth is, Blatche or no Blatche, the PBA is bound to benefit through better attendance following the reentry of Gilas in the World Cup.
More fans could only be expected to rush in and see for themselves the victorious Nationals in action.
This had been proven in past national team victories, like
in the Asian Games and the Jones Cup.
Gilas’ triumph is also bound to be PBA’s gain.
Meanwhile, SBP head Panlilio has gone out of his way to thank and commend tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan for his generosity and unlimited support for Philippine basketball.
“It was really M.V.P’s vision that brought Philippine basketball back to where it is now,” Panlilio said. “He led the way and we followed.”
Pangilinan hosted lunch for the victorious Gilas squad the other day where he gave out incentives.
M.V.P. undoubtedly is the real Gilas national team MVP.