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.     

14 days in Spain: Day 3 (Egypt)

Morning breakfast with the Gilas team ,  the players were pleasantly surprise that their contact friend from NZ is with the team.   It’s been close to a year since most of us last saw each other in MOA for FIBA Asia.   Sat with coaching staff Tab. Chot Josh and Naxcio had great conversations about NZ ,  Adams, and Egypt I told coach Tab that the Egyptan coach was interested in what he had to say about beating Iran,  of which coach Chot said he should talk to me “ I’m the Iran killer” 

Joined Gilas for the their morning practice, it was a delight to see the final product of what this team had been working on , the DDO with Blatche incorporated in it.   Chot’s says in 5 days it’s opening night. This is it.  It was during this session that Junamar got  a significant dress down for not being able to run the DDO offense they’ve been practicing for months, quite literally Junmar was thrown out of the practice drill schemes ,  Beau took his role,  his teammates however knowing he was down and was really critical to their success  picked him up and patiently went through the drills with him one more time.

Had conversations with Coach Ryan and Norman , the connection with Norman was with my former church in Manila GCF we talked about good friend Pastor Butch,  Ryan on the other hand was really interested in NZ and visiting , the other connection we had was we were both kids of UN Bangkok post families.

When we got back to the hotel , the buzz was the PBA draft was ongoing,  it was a thrill to see how each individual reacted and shared views on who their respective team was drafting (not the team was made up of players from the respective PBA teams)

By early afternoon ( 1 pm) we the organizers got a call that people were entering the venue already,  I rushed to the venue , where my contact for ticket distribution was waiting for me,  by the time I got there about a 100 to 200 fans had secured seats already.  This was a problem as we had sold preferred priority passes that would occupy the seats,  we tried requesting that they vacate them, but to no avail,  the munciipiyt and local sport mayor were starting to have concerns with the complaints and confusion coming in of people either wanting to keep their seats or those who paid priority passes but would avail of the beneifit,  a call was made to use the other side of the court for priority passes.  The marshalling of the event by the local Filipino group  was significantly disorganised and this was visible to the local authorities. At the end most people got their seats . the next problem was the ones who bought priority passes were sold these passes with the false expectation that they would get guaranteed access to meet the players, this was compounded when we found out that the meet and greet photo opportunity scheme  by major sponsor SMaRT included fans first buying a phone card.   At the end to mitigate the situation the local Filipino community leaders decided to buy the phone cards for their customers who were sold priority passes.  It took 2 full hours for every one who held a priority pass to get a phote opporutity with the players.  It was with great thanks that local player stars,  Alapag, Pingris, Chan, Ranidel and Junmar patiently met and took pictures with their fans for over 2 hour.  This by far was the biggest meet and greet activity that Gilas conducted while in Spain.  At the end we had very happy customers.  Our pass holders watched a quality game with front court seats,  met their idols and got pictures with them, got a 5 euro phone card all for the price of 5 euros.  How could you beat that deal.  Over 500 people availed of this deal.  The crowd size in my estimate was around 2,500.   At the end we had 14 bus loads of people from Madrid ( the news had it at 7 busses ) but the authorities has 14 counted.  I got the registration of 7 busses,  the other 7 came from another group.  The game on the 24^th Sunday vs Egypt had the largest Filipino crowd ( around 2,500)  even larger than the any Filiipino crowd in any of the games in Seville for the WC

On the game itself , which is what I came for I sat at right at front court desk across the team benches.  The environment with the crowd was surreal, deafeining , the animated crowd size in a compact arena was crazy and seriously loud,  every play was highly anticipated and cheered for.  This was the best basketball crowd you could have , the game was teleivesed back in the  Philippines.  You couldn’t find a better televised game  and this was a tune-up game,   while just a tune-up game the level of intensity was far from it.  The boys really wanted to finally win a game in Spain vs a legitimate national team ( one that was participating in the world cup),  at half time walking with the team manager , Aboy castro  who was elated with the turnout also because it meant it would cover some of his expenses. He said “ we can beat this team” and I  acknowledged yes we can.  Gilas eventually won the game getting it’s first official Win in Spain vs a world cup participating team.  

Senegal played Estonia for the 2^nd game,  in a surprise result Estonia beat Senegal by 20 pts pulling away in the last 5 minutes.   Came back to hotel for a much needed dinner. 

14 days in Spain 2014: Day 2

Things were going to get drastically busier , 2 games scheduled. Needed to make sure everything was in order for the ticket/ crowd coming in and the sponsors (SMART) were all set-up.   2 interesting games were on schedule: Game 1 Estonia vs Argentina ( because of the sudden confirmation of former Olympic champion Argentina, Estonia wanted to broadcast the game.  Did  a last minute TV set-up to stream the game to Estonia).   I couldn’t believe my eyes, Luis Scorla walks in the arena, I say Hi Luis, he offer to take pictures,  then the rest of the team nicknamed the Golden gereration including coach Lamas walks in.  This was a chance of a lifetime a dream come through. As organiser I made sure I sat right at courtside as in the scorers bench close.  I couldn’t miss this for the world.   Prior to game to finally the people that took me through this journey a year ago; Coach Chot and Tab arrive,  we warmly greet each other,  you could sense the huge connection with the strong hand shakes and hugs, it was sort of saying were finally here.  I had to pinch my self that this was actually happening again.  We sat and watched the Senegal game (Gilas main oppponet for the worlds ) play world level team Dominican Republic.  Chot tells me : buti na convince mo yung Dominican to play us, ang yayabang mga uynJ .  I could only shrug my shoulders as I actually couldn’t believe my good fortune of having set this up.   Oh the game was a blow out , Domincan blew away Senegal by 40 pts.   At the hotel has discussions with Sussana about how I sent this all up, socialised at the bar with NZ Gilas friends ,  coach Jong and Dex,  and new acquaintance Ryan