As the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers have come to an end and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament is upon us, let us look back at the different games where Gilas Pilipinas left a mark in the hearts of every Filipino.
1. Paul Lee’s clutch free throws
It was just Paul Lee’s first stint with the national team, but he already made a highlight for Pinoy basketball fans to remember. In the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, Gilas went up against Asia powerhouse China for the bronze medal. It was a close game with China ahead by two 79-77 until the last seconds when Lee was fouled, while attempting a 3-pointer. With no time left on the clock, the guard just had to sink all of his three free throws to be called a hero by the fans, and he did just that.
2. Gabe Norwood’s poster on Luis Scola
In 2014, Gilas Pilipinas went up against Argentina with NBA players like Luis Scola, Pablo Prigioni, Andres Nocioni, and Facundo Campazzo in the FIBA World Cup. Gilas gave a close fight, but ultimately lost by 4 points with the score of 81-85. Even though they lost, they still gave a good fight and some memorable highlights like Gabe Norwood’s poster dunk against the outstretched arms of Scola. This would be etched in the minds of Pinoy basketball fans as this made them realize that even if they are up against NBA pros, they won’t back down from the challenge.
3. The End of the Korean Curse
The Korean Curse finally came to an end in 2013 after years of devastating losses. Gilas Pilipinas was coached that time by Chot Reyes and managed to defeat Korea, 86-79, in front of a jampacked Mall of Asia Arena in the FIBA Asia Championship. The heroics of Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel De Ocampo from deep ignited their run in the fourth quarter, followed by a block by Gabe Norwood and an offensive rebound and a basket by Marc Pingris to set the dagger. Though Gilas ended with a silver medal as they fell short to Iran in the final round, it was an emotional victory for the Philippines as they booked a ticket to the 2014 World Cup for the first time in 36 years.
4. The Gilas vs Australia Basketbrawl
Gilas Pilipinas and the Australia Boomers trended worldwide after their infamous ‘basketbrawl' on July 2, 2018 at the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in the Philippine Arena. The fight started at the four-minute mark of the third quarter when RR Pogoy hit Chris Goulding with an unnecessary contact that led Daniel Kickert to strike Pogoy’s face with an elbow. After this, the Gilas bench was cleared and punches were thrown, along with the kicking and throwing of chairs. Thirteen players were ejected — nine from the Philippines and four from Australia — and Gilas was blown out by 36 points. After the fight, the game became more controversial when Marc Pingris started having a groupie with the whole team, posing with smiles on their faces like nothing happened. As a consequence, FIBA suspended 10 Gilas players, including Calvin Abueva who received the longest suspension of six games.
5. Jordan Clarkson’s first Gilas Pilipinas game
After the Fil-Am guard was drafted in the NBA, talks of him playing for the national team has become the talk of the town, and finally during the 18th Asian Games, he was finally able to play wearing a Gilas Pilipinas jersey. The journey of Clarkson playing for Gilas was not easy as he also needed to complete all the requirements just like other players. However, it was worth it. In his first game, Clarkson did not disappoint his Filipino fans as he was able to put on a good show, scoring 28 points against a loss to China. Clarkson has been consistent during the 18th Asian Games, and in his last game, he dropped 29 points including a five three-pointers against the Syrian national team. Although Gilas Pilipinas fell short, their journey in the 18th Asian Games can still be called a success despite not having a medal.
6. LA Tenorio led Gilas for the gold medal against USA
The Gineral has proven that they can measure every Filipino’s height but never our hearts for the game, after he led Gilas Pilipinas to win its first Jones Cup title after 14 years in 2012. The 5'9" Tenorio poured his all for the game, scoring 20 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter. During the end of the first half, Gilas Pilipinas was down by 14 points against the USA team, but the Filipinos did not lose heart, as they became more determined to win that gold medal for the Philippines. Tenorio was later voted to be the Most Valuable Player of the tournament due to his exemplary performance.
7. SJ Belangel's Hail Mary
SJ Belangel, the smallest man in the court, delivered the biggest blow in the form of an off-balanced three-point shot off the backboard at the buzzer as Gilas Pilipinas stunned Korea, 81-78, in the recently concluded FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Angeles, Pampanga. The 5'10" Belangel tried to evade a pesky Korean defender and threw an off-balanced shot while falling to his right, with the ball hitting the glass first before sinking in, giving the pulsating win to the Philippines, which ended an eight-year string of losses to the visitors.