FIBA World Cup

After the FIFA World Cup now comes basketball’s version of its own “World Cup,” the FIBA World Cup which will be played in Spain. The world’s top 24 teams gather for the next two weeks to determine a world champion since the USA won it in 2010. (The other World Cup for basketball is at the Olympics which was last played in 2012 in London.) But more than anything else, this year’s FIBA World Cup is extra special since the Philippines has made it to the elite of the world after a long, long time. Who doesn’t remember those 11 days in August 2013 when Gilas Pilipinas placed second to Iran at the FIBA Asia Championships of 2013, the qualifier for this year’s World Cup. This is one of the country’s biggest achievements in this basketball times of “level up” basketball where the rest of the world has caught up with the USA  and where it is now a norm for players of different countries to be plying their trade professionally in the NBA.

 So what to expect from the Philippines? For starters, what we will surely see is a hard-fighting Pinoy squad that will be carrying their battle cry of “Puso” at every game. They’ll play their hearts out and won’t back down despite the huge odds that are stacked against them. Let’s face it. Chances of winning a game or two at this World Cup are very slim. However, making it to the World Cup is already a huge achievement by itself. If we were a small team at the Asian level, we’re going to get even smaller than the rest of the pack in Spain. Our average height is 6’3” while those of the other teams are at least 6’7” or taller. At last night’s game against Croatia, the huge difference in size, heft, height and experience was pretty glaring, wasn’t it? But make no mistake about it. Our hearts are just as big as or actually bigger than all our opponents combined. This where I can never forget when Marc Pingris, the team’s most energetic player, leads the battlecry yell on center court, “Laban Pilipinas!” The reply? “Puso!” Just seeing them on the floor is already a big win already for the country. I’m pretty sure we’ll hear a lot of bashers, armchair basketball experts and sports “analysts” who will ridicule, criticize and even malign the team. But let them be. There’s more to basketball than these guys.

 One thing that we’d like to see is how Spain, as hosts, will go all out for the championship. If it’s any consolation, the U.S. is playing without Kevin Durant, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and Paul George. But then again, in the line-up are Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and James Harden; all who are capable of taking over the vacuum left by the NBA’s biggest stars. While the rest of the team may not sound like NBA superstars, they’ll still be the team to beat any given time. They actually have a nice mix of role players who are unselfish and who are willing to let the others shine. The names Cousins, Drummond, Plumlee, Thompson, DeRozan, Gay, and Faried may not sound familiar to some, but they fit in well with Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s system. The so-called “other” players will make way for the legitimate scorers and leaders, giving the team a balance across all positions. The biggest difference from previous USA teams will be the presence of the “bigs” who are there for defense, rebounding and over-all hustle more than offense (Cousins, Drummond, Faried and Plumlee). Thompson’s outside shooting, and the combo slash and/or shoot ways of DeRozan and Gay will be ready to spell instant offense when called upon.

 Spain is going in full force with the my “last name sangay” Juan Carlos Navarro, the Gasol brothers Pao and Marc, Ricky Rubio, Rudy Fernandez, Serge Ibaka, Jose Calderon, and Sergio Rodriguez. Spain is not like the traditional European team that uses the flexibility of all players to get things done (including bigs who’ll shoot from outside). With the Gasols and Ibaka, they can also bang inside the paint for offense in a perfect mix of inside-outside offense as Spain’s outside sniping is almost perfect. Then you add Rubio who can break down any kind of defense when he creates opportunities for his teammates or himself. This makes Spain the other favorite to win at home next to the U.S. All others will be playing for bronze. FIBA Europe champion France is missing the services of its MVP Tony Parker. Over-all, it will also be fun to watch how the European teams have the edge over their Southern America rivals like Brazil and Argentina. The likes of Serbia, Slovenia, Greece, Ukraine, and Lithuania display typical Euro brand of hoops with a lot of three’s, movement off the ball, dribble drive penetration and passing to look for the open man.

 Sure looks like all TV’s will be glued to basketball for the next two weeks. And it’s all good for the sport. After the NBA Finals, this could be the most-watched basketball event across the globe this year. And starring pa gyud ang Pilipinas!

 Laban Pilipinas! Puso! 

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Happy birthday to Don Paolo Navarro and Dr. Freddie Madamba.