Gilas vs Tall Blacks 2.0 in NZ

 

After 9 years since Gilas last visited New Zealand ( to prepare for FIBA Asia in 2013) , Gilas returned to Auckland to play the Tall Blacks ( 30 June 2022) .   the last time they played vs NZ in Auckland ( friendly game ) the game was decided in the last minute.  ( a game I organized)

Once again I was fortunate enough to join the team in their pre game planning session,  my old friends coach Jong,  Manager Butch and Physio Dex , were the consistent personalities from their last visit,  how ironic the Tall Blacks coach (Nenad Vuenic) who we faced in 2013 was the now the head coach of Gilas ,   I reminded him of our discussion then ( him proposing 6 quarters)

 

What made this game extra special for me and my son ( Jordan) was many of the players who suited up for Gilas were Jordan’s teammates in Ateneo  ( when he was recruited back in 2020 ( pre Covid),  SJ Balengel ( who I finally got to meet ) , Dwight , Navarro and so on were all there .    Also interesting was to see friends in the Tall Blacks,  coach Pero , Zico and Prewster. Watching them go up against each other (NBL stars , Corey, Ili, Delaney)  in New Zealand was a treat to watch in a packed North Shore arena ( 5K) . While I had hoped the game would be close ( I really thought there was a glimmer of hope ) the game was a 46 point blowout.

Anyway because of the association with both teams , this was truly a special game close to my heart.

Until next time …

Gilas vs Boomers in Melbourne

Sorry with the lack of frequency in updating this blog, it’s becoming a yearly thing.  But before I forget let me write about my most recent Gilas experience-  Gilas vs the Australian Boomers in Melbourne for the 3^rd window of the Asia Pacific Olympic qualifier.  I really enjoyed this experience as for first time I held no official responsibility and was there purely as a fan.  As such I had no expectation of having access to the team and the venue.  But I guess once involved will always be part of the family,  so true enough when i met the team at their tournament hotel in Melbourne old friends (Physio Dex,  coach Jong , and boss (manager Butch) were all there to welcome and invite me for breakfast for a catch-up.  Was great to meet the old guys again Captain Gabe, Jason, Japs and Junmar. (all were in NZ and Spain when I was with the team) of  course can’t forget meeting up with coach Chot and Josh again.   One of the guys who I was looking forward to meet and never met before , even If I played an instrumental role of bringing him to Gilas  was starting shooting guard Matthew Wright.  I finally met him on the bus on the way to the venue for practice,  he just said it’s finally great to meet you!.   It was really great to be with the team in a city (Melbourne) which is one of my favourite cities.  I spent a couple of months living in Melbourne about a decade ago.    A number people within the Australia organizing committee didn’t know what to make of me,  as they could see everyone knew me but was not officially part of the Philippine delegation.   I was hoping to just leave the team and venue for lunch on my own,  but they said , huh how did you enter?  I just hopped on the bus with the team,  so basically the team just told me to get back on , so could get out of the venue .

On the game itself, it was home court for Gilas , 80% of the crowd were Filipinos,  the game was close in the 1^st half with Gilas even taking a 5 point lead.  One observation I had was the lack of  familiarity and awe factor of playing in the world stage for Gilas was no longer there.  But you could see  the advantage of overall size and mobility took its toll on Gilas,  the shots Gilas were taking were contested with the Ozy’s length,  while our lack of overall length on the defensive end was starting to get us into foul trouble.  Those advantages on both offense and defence for the Ozys started to reflect in the odds and % of makes on both sides of possessions. The Australian basically wore us down, after we started out well.

Manila OQT experience- Facing my beloved Gilas

It’s been more than a year that I’ve updated my blog,  but just felt I had to write about my experience in the Manila Olympic Qualifying tournament. 

When the draw was made early this year for the Tall Blacks to be grouped with Gilas and France , my email box almost exploded!   I had grand plans for organizing a Tall Blacks v Gilas tune-up game in Manila,   so when the draw results were announced,  I first got in touch with Gilas coach Tab Baldwin and former coach Chot Reyes to confirm what I already knew ( The Tall Blacks are no longer playing Gilas in the build-up) .   What it also meant however for me personally, is I could no longer in good conscience help the Philippine team as I have previously if I was helping the Tall Blacks.  In essence what it also meant is I should not be in communication with my friends at Gilas (primary the coaching staff,  Tab, Josh and Nash)   

2 years prior I organized the first and only Tall Black vs Gilas game in Auckland as part of Gilas build-up for the 2013 FIBA Asia.   I spent the next 2 international seasons (2014 Spain) and 2015 FiBA Asia China with Gilas , assisting in coordinating their tune-up games.  So when basketball NZ requested for my help to assist the Tall Blacks ,  I knew I was in a very unique yet sensitive situation with my knowledge of Gilas.  While the TB’s were considered as the more experience world level competition team,  playing Gilas at home, made who would come out winners unpredictable .  The biggest thing to me was how focused and prepared the Tall Blacks were to play Gilas.   To them Gilas was the knockout quarterfinals game,  and most of the focus on preparation was on them.   While I obviously provided my observation of the tendencies of each of Gilas players as well as coaching tendencies with rotation and match-up assignments,  we watched practically all  the videos  for all the games Gilas has ever played with Tab.  Additionally we used analytics software to confirm tendencies.

Most of the focus on the Tall Blacks were on Corey Webster and Isaac Fotu.  Deep down I knew however PG’s Tai Webster and Shea Illi would be key if not the X- factor.   Both players matched up very well against Gilas guard centric team ( Castro and Romeo) .  At least from the local media perspective both TB’s guards were under the radar.   We also felt Isaac's and Mika's activity would hurt Gilas frontcourt ( Blatche and Junmar) .   Both theories proved to be correct.

When the finals buzzer sounded and the TB’s were victorious,  I was a wreck emotionally with mixed feelings.  Yes I was able to help the TB’s and scouting proved to be right on the mark but my beloved Gilas and basically the core (Gabe, Jason, Del , Ping , Japeth ) of the team I spent these last 3 years with had probably played their last game together in a Gilas singlet.  Wow , the team I so invested in , I would eventually plot to defeat.   Obviously I know that might not be totally accurate and the result would be inevitable regardless of whatever I did , but that’s how I felt.

The rest of the OQT in Manila was both a treat and a dream for me. I finally got to watch live in action my Spurs players Tony Parker, De Colo , Diaw and Corey Joseph.  (who I rooted for all these years as a Spurs fan) ,  Seeing them play vs my beloved Gilas and the Tall Blacks is something that was very close to my heart and passion.  The OQT represented the teams and players closes to my heart ( Gilas, Tall Blacks and the Spurs)

NZ vs Gilas at Araneta : Am I dreaming!

I’m guilty of failing to update my blog for almost a year now, while I have time best to record things before I forget.  “ The moment when it hit me on what I had done, was when I was standing at central court of the arena (Araneta  coliseum) I grew up watching games in this venue (TV and live)  as a boy. I never thought I would ever be standing on central court.  Both teams me representing the NZ Saints and my friend from Gilas (Dex their physio) were at central court overseeing the team’s warm-ups.  I said to Dex, this is a dream, this is the 1^st time I’ve been at central court in Araneta,  he laughed , sir- ikaw na lang mag tayo ditto.

One of the things fans were most anticipating was the New Zealand team doing the haka, coach Tab prior to game asked , are you guys doing the Haka?  I nodded yes.  I never really appreciated the Haka prior to this, but when my team did the haka a sense of realisation hit me, that these guys on this team really wanted to be here, and were pulling for one another  (Forming this team took a lot , but I’ll leave that story for another day).  Then after the Haka the Philippine national anthem was played and then we met for the  traditional hand shake at the middle of the court.  This was weird , I met and shook Tab’s hand at central court  and we both laughed at how ironic this was, cause here was I a Filipino representing a New Zealand team and here was Tab a Kiwi representing the Philippines.  

The day before prior to our game yesterday I was approached by the TV courtside reporter for an interview, in the back of mind I was thinking is this really happening?   Then sometime during the 2nd and 3rd quarter a camera man focuses on me and follows me all over.  (you take these things for granted when you watch TV) but it's so uncomfortable when a camera is a foot away from your face. I didn't know if I should smile and pose or wave of the camera man not to follow me. 

The whole experience was like a dream 

So many more stories to tell , hope i find time to write stuff

Proud to be Pinoy at the world cup

Yes it was thrill of a lifetime to culminate the Spain World cup with finally a win.  One of the highlights of the trip was meeting Filipino fans from over the world, who all gathered in Seville for the same purpose to support our Gilas team.  It was a melting pot of the Filipino global community, for once we were all one, whether you were a Conglomerate lie MVP or a domestic helper in Madrid, for 6 trilling days we were all in the same boat rooting for one team.  It’s interesting the dynamics of how you interacted with your fellow kababayans suddenly changed when you meet in a foreign land. (it was like us against the world) ,  It didn’t matter if I was talking to chairman of the PBA , Pat Gregorio or socialising  with a Filipino Madrid domestic helper, A well know local actress like Dina Bonnevie or the player stars themselves with their bueutifull wives,  it was all the same , there were no barriers.  That watering hole across the street from the San Pablo Pabillion was a testament to this, here we were 100’s of pinoy’s jockeying to get a beer or Tapa from a local equivalent of a turo turo store.  Whether domestic helper or chariman made no difference we didn’t care at all. Because for that one week , we were all for one goal.  That moment never made me prouder to be a Filipino. 

Pinoy crowd : Guadalajara

After two of the tune-up games in Spain, it took 2 full hours for the players to get out of the arena after a long game due to their willingness to sign and pose for pictures with fans. 

Jimmy , Ping, Ranidel and Junmar standout for their willingness to do this. I really admire their effort to go out of their way for this. Believe me it is tiring especially after a game. I didn't even play but i myself get exhausted just watching them and making things are in order. After posing for pics for 2 full hours i thanked Jimmy for his effort and selflessness , then he said something i couldn't understand , he said "D--e, it's the least we could do, these fans traveled all the way here to see us" Note we're talking about 3 thousand people ( 14 Buss loads) wanting pictures, but still i said Jimmy- I really appreciate the effort. he said really it's not a problem. 

Reading the article below reminds me what Jimmy was talking about ..

http://www.spin.ph/basketball/news/g...games#cxrecs_s

On one of the games, which was heated intense game, the coach wanted to spend a closed door extended time with his players , meaning there was no telling if they would be available to meet the fans. Management said they weren't available. The problem was there were 1,000 fans outside waiting on them, this brought the attention of the local security in the arena, they said you need to address the fans. After talking to the team.. they said let's send out the players who didn't play- the pool reserves, Jared, Marcus , Beau and Jay. Those guys to their credit did a great job. 
Again after the whole proceeding i thanked Jared, he said it's no problem at all, but he said the fans didn't want to see us, they wanted to see the stars .. Blatche , Jimmy etc. So i said regardless thank you., BTW Jared has an incredible heart for helping people , i was astonished with this. 
Before i thought it was all over and addressed , when i stepped out of the arena, where the Team bus was parked the whole bus was engulfed with fans around it. Jimmy and Ping where like 100 meter from the bus surrounded by 100's of fans. That got out of hand, we really had to bring in the security for them to even get to the bus. But one thing i couldn't really understand amazed me, as Ping was pulled out of the crowd and escorted by the security to the bus, You could see tears in his eyes ! he honestly felt bad for not giving enough time to his fans ! I know this is not basketball, but really talk about PUSO!

14 days in Spain: Day 4 "Dominican"

Had breakfast met Dominican’s assistant coach , who was really interested in finding players for his US NCAA team,   went to practice with the Gilas team at the arena,  had discussions with Paul lee who was in the middle of  messy contract negotiation demanding  a trade.

Prior to the game the organizers via way of the city council had put the Filipino crowd on notice, not wanting a repeat of the previous night’s disorganized crowd proceedings.  As the key contact representing the Philippines I was warned of the consequences.  I tried organising the local Filipino community to provide assistance for today’s game only to find out they were not available, left with no recourse I asked the assistance of our sponsor (Smart)  and its deployed personnel in the arena to assist me.  The plan was to separate  the Dominican and Filipino crowd ,  1 hour prior to tip off however only the Filipino side was occupied,  with the Dominican side practically empty, this was not good for TV as the camera was facing the Dominican side,  an impromptu decision was made to transfer the Philippine crowd to the side facing the camera ,  the barker announcer made the announcement however only half of the Filipino crowd decided to move , as those who had already secured court side seats wanted to keep their good view.  At the end we had a very good and animated crowd for a quality game.

While the game like all the other tune-up games were simply another  “friendly”, there was a feeling in the air that this game won’t be treated lightly and rightfully so , as it served as the last tune-up game for both teams.  For the Philippines in particular I knew the coach wanted to go all out for a win to simulate the experience of a real World cup game, one where he would use his real rotation . The players needed to get that experience of playing for a win and what their expected roles would be like for the real thing..   From the onset the game was highly intense and getting physical.  This was far from a friendly, this was the real thing unfolding.   By the second quarter both teams were starting to hit each other,  then mid way into the quarter a hard foul by Ranidel on a driving Feldine resulted in a near brawl.  Both bench officials entered the court.  The game was stopped for 5 minutes to cool things down.  It was here for the 1^st time  my attention was called by the team manager of the Philippines Aboy Castro- demanding that as organisers I talk to the referees to control the situation.  “ tumitira na yung dalawang teams”   this was new territory for me and had no inkling of what to do next.   I approached  my co organizers at the table ,  with the same request given by Aboy,  the response was “these are professional referees,  it’s not their fault that things have escalated,   They shot back and said the coaching staff and bench of the Philippines shouldn’t agitate things by overly reacting to situations”  In was at that moment that I was in a bind, my loyalties had to be in order , Do I wear the hat of organiser and order the Philippine bench to cool down.  ( imagine having to say that to coach Chot)  or do I side with the coaching staff of the Philippines ( my home nation) and berate the referees?  – “hey control the situation !”  At this point I made the call, I’m an organiser 1^st and foremost in this situation.   Let’s all cool down for awhile , talked to Tab and his Dominican counterpart who I met for breakfast earlier.  OK it’s getting testy , but let’s all relax and settle down.