Gilas Pilipinas Basketball

A picture of Gilas Pilipinas naturalized big man Andray Blatche bowing at centercourt inside the Mall of Asia Arena on July 7, 2016 by himself–hands on his knees and visibly exhausted–painted one of the most heart-breaking scenes in recent Philippine basketball.

New Zealand had beaten Gilas in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Manila, eliminating them from Olympic contention, and the sight of Blatche post-game only magnified further what was obvious to millions of Filipino fans on that unfaithful night.

Blatche was downhearted and dejected after the squad bade goodbye to their Olympic hopes, writing on his Instagram about the abrupt exit:

“Walking off this court was the hardest thing for me to do in a long time.”

That moment, Blatche’s future with the team was uncertain, and no one knew if he would be able to represent the country again in a prestigious stage.

But three years later, in the dramatic final game day of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the one stalwart who already knew what it took to be part of such prestigious event brought Gilas Pilipinas back to the world stage.

A motivated and unstoppable Blatche, who started his life-changing expedition with the Philippine national basketball team in Spain during the 2014 edition of the worlds, again carried the team on his mighty shoulders to extend Gilas’ World Cup streak after a colossal performance which saw the team dominate Kazakhstan in Astana, 93-75 in the 6th and final window of the qualifiers.

Blatche exploded for 41 points on 60% shooting, scoring 17 in the 1st quarter alone which included 5 triples, and added 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks as Gilas avenged their 5th window loss to the same opponent.

“We’re just glad it’s over,” head coach Yeng Guiao said. “We were feeling the pressure (in) this game. We really wanted to make the World Cup. Andray carried us in the 1st half. He was on fire.”

Jayson Castro and June Mar Fajardo added 15 and 9 points, respectively as the supporting cast extended then preserved the lead in the 2nd half.

“(In) the 2nd half, the rest of the guys stepped up. It was important we survived the foul trouble he was in. Fajardo just took over when he was on the bench. That was a key situation for us. Castro made some key 3-point shots that put some distance. We are just happy it is over and we are making the World Cup,” Guiao added.

Gilas controlled the 1st quarter behind Blatche’s heroics, although the home team fought back and even took a 40-38 edge in the 2nd quarter.

But the Philippines re-asserted their mastery in the 2nd half, opening 3rd quarter on a 12-5 run to push the lead to double-digits. It was all Gilas from the point even with Blatche picking up his 4th foul the 3rd quarter.

The team finished with a 7-5 card in Group F, behind Australia, Iran, and Japan.

“It was a good emotional game for us. We knew what was at stake. It was either win or go home and I felt like we competed from the jump to the end. We had minor speed bumps in the game. But we stuck to it. We are just happy and thankful we came out with the win,” Blatche said.

Gilas qualified as the better fourth placed squad even as Korea eliminated Lebanon via an 84-72 win. Lebanon only finished with a 6-6 record in Group E.

New Zealand, Korea, and Jordan advanced while China settled for fourth with a 7-5 card. Since China is already hosting the upcoming World Cup, Lebanon became the fourth placer in Group E, but had an inferior record compared to the Philippines.

Gilas’ World Cup return is the proverbial story-book ending to what has been a roller-coaster ride in the 2-year qualification process, and it couldn’t have been scripted any better.

The nationals started the first couple of windows with convincing victories over Japan and Chinese Taipei in late 2017 and early 2018.

Then, just when they were gaining momentum and solidifying their place on top of their group standings, came a major twist when they figured in the now brawl against Australia during the 3rd window in July 2018.

The infamous and much-chronicled incident led to multiple player suspensions including Blatche, Castro, Matthew Wright, RR Pogoy, Terrence Romeo, and Calvin Abueva, among others, and a closed-door home game for the next window.

Then Gilas head coach Chot Reyes, who steered the Philippines to the 2014 worlds, stepped down and was replaced by Guiao. Guiao was immediately subjected to pressure, having to pick up the pieces and continue the task at hand.

He led Gilas to a split in the 4th window minus key players, setting up what was a critical 5th window which featured back to back home games.

The build-up towards the 5th window was filled with intrigue as Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas opted to not include Blatche in the pool following his suspension.

Blatche, in a lengthy statement via Theia Sports, said he was hurt by the exclusion as he kept himself in shape the entire time and even refused to sign in the CBA.

“I was suspended for three games because I came to the defense of a fellow brother-in-arms … I took the punishment from FIBA despite the fact that I believed the SBP leadership should have fought harder for its team and appealed. I looked forward to rejoining the team for the December 3 game. In fact, I didn’t sign in China this season despite several offers because I wanted to be fully available for Gilas and not have to deal with my Chinese team deciding when I could leave to join Gilas practice! I’ve kept myself in shape and game ready for the December 3 game,” part of the statement read.

“So it was a bit of a shocker for me when I learned from the news reports that I wasn’t included in the lineup. No one from the SBP actually communicated with me or my international agents before the news was released. I think it was a very unprofessional way to handle someone like me who has so much invested in the Gilas program. The way this was handled was not a good representation of Filipinos in general who are kind and hospitable and loyal. I love my Filipino fans and to me, they are the best in the world. I think Filipino basketball players are fantastic because they have mad skills and a passionate heart. I must admit I was very hurt by how carelessly I was discarded by the SBP.”

Eventually, what was seen by many as a juncture that could have been taken advantage of turned out to be a disastrous stretch instead, as Gilas dropped both matches to Kazakhstan and Iran.

The losses put the squad on the brink of elimination instead of the opposite; in the aftermath of a disappointing leg, Guiao reiterated that he would quit his job if Gilas failed to return to the World Cup.

Even up to the tail-end of Gilas’ training camp for the 6th window, the squad was marred by problems here and there. They were able to schedule just one tune-up game. Time constraints also became a factor, and doubt was still evidently surrounding the team.

And yet, after all the drama, controversy, hardships, and challenges they had to endure, Gilas once again showed their no-quit attitude in the end.

They were able to re-focus on the pure basketball part of things, and the dream that lied ahead. Blatche’s return re-ignited the mission; he flat-out proved he wasn’t done leading the country yet and did it in an exemplary manner.

“He can take over a game. That’s what he did for us. We had a bad start and if it weren’t for Andray, we would have been behind by 15 points and it would have been very hard for us to come back,” Guiao said of Blatche.

All the players of the last pool understood the magnitude of the final pair of games too, and they all looked in unison when they took the floor in Doha and Astana.

“We have a lot of respect of Kazakhstan. We prepared hard for this game … we tried to remedy the mistakes we made in Manila,” Guiao said.

Given all that transpired throughout the last 16 months, Gilas was able to end the long road in an absolutely fitting fashion.

For all the narratives and storylines leading up to the final day of the mission, Gilas was able to end things the only appropriate way to do it–welcoming themselves back to where they truly belong: the world stage.

By Levi Verora, Jr.

Photos from fiba.basketball