The dream is not over

Brazil put the cuffs on Justin Brownlee, and the mighty effort of Gilas Pilipinas ended in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament semifinals. There’s no one to blame, and much cause to celebrate. The Philippines has never come within biting distance of an Olympic berth, and has not beaten European teams in at least 22 years (on the club level).

On this writer’s program “Hardball with Bill Velasco” on dwIZ 1206 am last Thursday, Gilas Pilipinas assistant coach Sean Chambers told me that they couldn’t afford to think of their next opponents, as everyone was formidable.

“Like (head coach) Tim (Cone) is saying all the time, though it’s a cliche, but it’s true,” the former PBA Best Import and Mr. 100 percent explained. “We have to play Georgia one play at a time, and there are two games after that, so the road is still tough ahead.”

He added that though the win against world No. 6 and host country Latvia was monumental, the job was still not done.

“We can’t get too excited about beating Latvia,” he continued. “Though it’s huge, no doubt about it, we still have to win two games to make it to the Olympics.”

Meanwhile on Friday’s program, Pilipinas Super League commissioner and many-time Philippine team player Allan Caidic foretold problems should other teams adapt new defensive strategies against Brownlee.

“We have the size to compete against the other countries,” the Triggerman said. “But if they double-team Brownlee, we need to have a strategy against it. Other players need to respond. Outside shooting is going to be very important.”

Now we know what it takes to get there. Longer preparation, more international competition and Cone’s system will work. This was just the first long step in the big leap for Philippine basketball. It will get better.