NOBODY ever believed that Saudi Arabia would defeat Gilas Pilipinas in their Monday meeting for the Fiba World Cup Qualifiers.
But despite that palpable truth, why did our cage-crazed fans still come in droves, packing the MOA Arena in Pasay to the rafters as though a rock concert featuring the BTS, if not Ben & Ben, was in the offing?
A dear friend of mine shelled out P20,000 for two tickets just to be with the 19,829 animated screamers at the arena by the bay this National Heroes Day.
And do you know that several hundreds more were refused entry not only due to overcapacity issues but—hold your breath—also because of tight security measures as President Marcos Jr. came in unannounced?
Let’s call a spade a spade but the President’s gesture spoke volumes of how a country’s supreme leader should show support to our national athletes out to do battle on the global stage. Even as our Gilas Pilipinas was the overwhelming favorite to thrash the Saudis, Mr. Marcos still saw it fit to come if only to show solidarity to a throng eternally enamored with basketball.
I can only imagine basketball chief, my tukayo Al Panlilio, smiling in unmistakable glee.
Thus, from a scale of one to 10, I give the President a resounding 10 for his unabashed show of recognizing efforts at building bridges for a nation’s continued confidence despite tight resources through the power of sports.
Three senators led by Bong Go, the Senate chair of the sports committee, were also there, together with Pasig City mayor Vico Sotto who came in with his father, the TV/movie star Vic Sotto, among others.
The game was close at the start and Saudi Arabia even won the first quarter, 14-11.
But after the Saudis had taken a 22-21 lead early in the second period, Gilas said enough is enough and quickly sped to a 37-28 spread at the half.
There was no turning back for Gilas as the 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto and National Basketball Association hot shot Jordan “JC” Clarkson, easily the star of the night, sparked sizzling spurts at will, bewildering the Saudis no end.
After taking a 25-point, 61-36 third quarter lead, Gilas became unstoppable coming home en route to the 84-46 rout.
Not one single soul from the sellout crowd left even as Gilas had become so unreachable already. And, if you come down to it, they stayed to cherish Clarkson in his full splendor.
Clarkson didn’t disappoint, firing a game-high 23 points marked by 4-of-5 shooting from behind the arc, with Sotto having a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds and 4 blocks.
“It feels great,” said Clarkson, playing on home soil for the first time and paying homage at every opportunity to his grandmother who hails from Bacolor, Pampanga. “We are just trying to get ready for the World Cup next year.”
All the best, JC.
THAT’S IT Albert MG Garcia is calling on his pals to join the BRAFE 15 Golf charity event on October 3 at Forest Hills. Tee off time is at 8 a.m. Dubbed “Golfing For Education,” registration fee is P5,000 that includes green fees, shared carts, snacks, raffles, rain jackets and giveaways…San Miguel Beer or TNT in tonight’s Game Five to break their 2-2 count? Too close to call.