Gilas Pilipinas Basketball

Five years ago inside a packed Mall of Asia Arena, Gilas Pilipinas humiliated Kazakhstan, 88-58 in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship quarter-finals, a game now famously known as the ‘Gary David game’ as the sharpshooter nailed 22 points including 4-of-6 from three-point land in that contest.

Kazakhstan, then a mix of veterans and youngsters, bowed out of that tournament in one of the worst ways possible.

Five years later inside the same venue, Kazakhstan exited of the hardcourt in a completely different manner: they were ecstatic; they held their hands high, and walked away with swagger, characteristics only expected of an experienced team that has maturity and confidence.

They had every right to do so that night.

The visiting side stunned Gilas with a monumental 92-88 upset win in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers fifth window, silencing a huge crowd in the process.

Shooting a pristine 57.1 percent from the field, including 52.2 percent from three-point area while controlling the rebounding battle and defending well, the Kazakhs out-performed the Philippines.

The center of it all was center-forward Alexandr Zhigulin. Averaging only 9.4 points per game throughout the Asian Qualifiers, Zhigulin exploded for 30 points, shooting 10-of-16 from the field while draining six triples.

Five years ago, Zhigulin was a mere 19-year-old, sparingly-used bench player. He still has a picture of how his team lost badly in 2013. But ultimately for him, trying to change the outcome this time is enough motivation.

“I remember that year (2013). I want to thank the Philippines organization, (because) the sport (here) is no. 1. A lot of people came tonight. I remember five years ago, it was the same. I like the level,” he shared.

“For me, I have motivation because I want to play good every game. I want to help my team. Every game is important. We need to show something. We need to win. Philippines, I think this country, the hotel where we stay, everyone helps us. I want to say thank you, really.”

Times have obviously changed for the 6-foot-8 stalwart, carrying the load this time for his side.

“This is everything for me. We played as a whole team because the guys showed character. We recovered from mistakes like rebounds, turnovers… we did a good job because the last four games, we lost. We had to change something because this is a big chance for us to win something for our country,” Zhigulin said in the post-game press conference.

Zhigulin dismissed his career game as being “lucky,” but his head coach Renatas Kurilionokas, who was seated beside him, begged to disagree.

“You said… this is luck, you are lucky to make shots, but you are a sharpshooter,” he told Zhigulin as they both shared a laugh afterwards. “You are a great shooter.”

Having stayed in the Philippines for two days, Kazakhstan came in as prepared as they could.

“Different flights, different conditions, if we have time, we can prepare… and we are winners,” Kurilionokas shared, referring to the 2018 Asian Games earlier this year where they were manhandled by the Philippines, 96-59.

Apparently, Kazakhstan arrived at eight in the evening prior to match day during the Asian Games, and had minimal time to get in shape.

It was a different scene in the Asian Qualifiers, as Kazakhstan had the luxury of practicing a couple of times. In their final practice, Kazakhstan even requested no photos or videos taken nor media presence.

Come game day, they were tough as nails from the get-go, establishing a mood early. On offense, they were aggressive in attacking the basket and picking their spots. On defense, they controlled the rebounding battle and made it difficult for Gilas to execute.

And every time the national squad made a run, Kazakhstan’s composure and mental toughness showed, not panicking and sticking to their game plan.

“I am happy with how I helped the team win tonight and with what I scored. Everybody did a good job,” Zhigulin added.

Zhigulin was not the only player who made impact; guard Rustam Murzagaliyev, who was 22 years old at the time the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship took place, also showed how far he has gone after five more years of experience.

Murzagaliyev steadied the ship every time Gilas made their run. He finished with 11 points including three outside makes, and six assists.

When it looked like Gilas had finally taken control of the game after leading 79-75 with 4:02 left in regulation, Kazakhstan refused to be rattled.

Zhigulin knocked down four straight points. Later, Nikolay Bazhin–another holdover from the 2013 line-up–delivered four more to push Kazakhstan back ahead, 86-83 with 80 seconds remaining.

“We felt pressure but we stayed calm and we did the job without (letting our emotions affect us). I we get fouled, we make the free throws, and for example, the last two points from (Anton) Bykov, assisted by (Rustam) Yargali, it was important,” Zhigulin said. “This part of the game, you feel, not pressure but (the feeling that) we have to finish, we have to win.

Bykov, who tallied 20 points and nine boards, made the last field goal: an uncontested lay-up off a nice dish by Yargali in the dying seconds which gave them a 92-88 edge.

At 4-5, Kazakhstan remains in fifth place in the team standings of Group F, but only a game behind both the Philippines and Japan.

It will still be an uphill climb for them if they want to make the World Cup; they will face Group F leaders Australia one final time in the sixth window next year. They will still meet Japan and the Philippines.

But what they know is that they still have a slim chance, and with how they played against Gilas on Friday night, the more matured and experienced Kazakhstan side will try to go for one last push for the World Cup berth.

“What I (told) the guys in the locker room is we stayed as a family until the end,” Kurilionokas said. “We are strong mentally and physically.”

By Levi Verora, Jr.

Photos from fiba.basketball