Now that the FIBA World Cup is over, at least for the Gilas Pilipinas squad, it’s the rightful time to articulate our performance in retrospect.
Do not expect me to join the hate bandwagon for Gilas coach Chot Reyes. That is not the main issue if we are to make any non-expert post-mortem. I say non-expert for the simple reason that I leave it to the real basketball surgeons to squeeze dry their basketball brains with a clinical autopsy of the now dead Gilas campaign that at the very least ended with a vigorous rigor against China.
Part of the process of 2023 World Cup Gilas’ taphonomy is studying the remains of the Gilas organism before we put it away for decomposition and focus on the next Gilas organism we will eventually create.
However, as I have said, I will leave that part to the experts.
In simple terms, let me dissect this Gilas carcass.
1. On Coach Chot Reyes: While the old adage is that coaches lose games and players win them, do not blame it entirely on Chot Reyes. Chot’s only fault in this failed campaign is accepting the offer to coach, which to him amounts to a patriotic act. Although Chot should also know the meaning of “reasonable patriotism” where putting the welfare of the country to a better alternative or option is more heroic than accepting the role with reservation.
Chot has suffered a lot emotionally and it’s inhuman to add more pain to injury. Let’s put it this way, Chot was simply not the doctor ordered for the World Cup.
2. The basketball system: We went to battle with an ammunition that is not fit for the war. The dribble drive system did not work to send shockwaves this time. It did in the 2014 World Cup where Gilas surprised teams like Croatia (lost 81-78), Greece (lost 80-72), Argentina (lost 85-81) and Puerto Rico (lost 77-73) before winning over Senegal 81-79. It did not work this time. The basketball world already knows how we play. Basketball scouts in the international competitions are so good in breaking down a team’s strengths and weaknesses.
3. A big difference too were the three pure PGs the 2014 had in Jimmy Alapag, LA Tenorio and Jayson Castro who are all capable of breaking the defense and shoot with consistency. The 2023 team had Kiefer Ravena, Scottie Thompson as ball distributors and both are not essentially natural PGs.
4. Preparation. The 2014 squad, which to my book may not be the deepest squad in terms of talent but was the more prepared team is the standard. To the last three weeks, this World Cup Gilas team was still cramming. Jordan Clarkson came in late. Yes, he is an NBA player who can adjust quickly but it showed in the actual games, he was taking matters in his own hands. Kai Sotto was also a late decision as he was subjected to medicals prior to deciding if he will be suited up. And then the late decision for the final 12. Obviously, Chot was more prepared with his outfits than this team. Sorry coach, but I will give you the consolation as the most dapper coach of the WC. If only suits win games.
But thank God for small victories, we won against China in our last game– a victory that was to be one of the most dominating wins we have over the Chinese in recent history. It came days after a new Chinese map that claims most of the South China Sea as Chinese territory was released by China which features a 10-dash line that includes the eastern parts of the disputed South China Sea that fall within the Philippines’ 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The same territory we call the West Philippine Sea.
The win over China was a statement win for the Philippines and at least doused cold water on the growing frustration of this basketball-crazed nation.
Lest we forget, everyone on this team fought hard to win every game from the payers to the coaching staff. I could imagine how Chot dreads to lose because he knows he would be bashed no end by the basketball mob.
In the end, it is just that this Filipino basketball organism is no match to the rest of the world. Let’s just accept it. Plain and simple.
Now let’s bury the dead dreams planted in a Gilas uniform and celebrate the efforts of the gallant men who wore them. Win as one, lose as one.
