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 …
