Play like the Spurs

It’s easier said than done, of course, but Jeff Moore, who once proudly wore the Philippine colors as a naturalized Filipino, advised Gilas to play it cool, like the San Antonio Spurs, at the FIBA World Cup in Spain on Aug. 30-Sept. 14.

“Don’t panic, play like the Spurs,” said Moore, speaking from his home in Guadalajara, Mexico, in an overseas telephone call. “Take it a game at a time. Play as hard as you can, play together. Don’t get in each other’s way. It’s great that players get a chance to go abroad and train with pro-ams and NBA players. That helps you to build confidence. Make the country proud like we did during our time. Respect each other, know your roles.”

Gilas’ return to the global stage comes 28 years after Moore played on the national team that earned a ticket to the FIBA World Cup, also in Spain, in 1986 by virtue of winning the FIBA Asia title. Unfortunately, the Philippines never got to play in Spain that year as the national team, with Moore, was disbanded. The Philippines forfeited its right to play because of political issues. Without the Philippines, Asia was represented at the 1986 FIBA World Cup by China, South Korea and Malaysia. China wound up ninth with a 4-6 record while South Korea took 22nd place and Malaysia last at 24th. Both South Korea and Malaysia had identical 0-5 records.

How historically uncanny it is that this year, the Philippines will go to the same country for the same tournament from which the national team withdrew in 1986. The Philippines hadn’t qualified to play at the FIBA World Cup since Moore’s time until now. For the record, the Philippines last played at the FIBA World Cup in Manila in 1978 but didn’t qualify in competition – it got a ticket to the eight-team semifinals as the host country’s right.

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The last time the Philippines qualified in competition and played at the FIBA World Cup was in 1974 in Puerto Rico where the national squad finished 13th of 14 with a 2-5 slate. The wins were 87-86 over the Central African Republic and 101-100 over Australia with Bogs Adornado averaging 21 points in both games. The losses were inflicted by the US 135-85 (Robert Jaworski scored 21 points), Argentina 111-90 (Adornado scored 23), Spain 117-85 (Jaworski scored 23), Czechoslovakia 119-112 (Francis Arnaiz scored 25) and Mexico 101-84 (Adornado scored 17). Adornado averaged 18 points in the tournament and made it to the top 10 scoring ladder.

Moore, now 53, said nobody expected the Philippines to beat the US in the Jones Cup final in Taipei in 1985. The US selection was coached by the legendary Gene Keady of Purdue and boasted of future NBA players Kenny Gattison, Kevin Henderson, Joe Wolf and Harold Pressley. But Moore said the Philippines, coached by Ron Jacobs, played together, didn’t give up and made history by winning, 108-100, in overtime. The score was tied, 40-all, at intermission and the US surged to a 46-40 lead to start the second half. The Philippines didn’t panic and strung up four straight triples, three by Samboy Lim, to catch up at 60-all. The US led, 87-86, with 14 seconds left in regulation then Moore, playing with a fever, sent it into extension with a free throw.

Since the Jones Cup isn’t sanctioned by FIBA and is a club tournament, the Philippines was allowed to play three naturalized players, Moore, Dennis Still and Chip Engelland. It was Engelland who showed the way in the victory over the US with 43 points in a no-relief job. Moore contributed 13 points and 11 boards. Lim tallied 23, Allan Caidic 19, Franz Pumaren 7 and Hector Calma 3.

At the FIBA Asia Championships in Kuala Lumpur in 1986, Moore and Still combined for 27 points but the Philippines was led by Caidic with 22 and Lim with 16 in the 82-72 win over China for the gold medal. At the time, FIBA allowed each country to enlist two naturalized players.

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Moore, who lived in Manila for six years, said the experience he gained playing for Jacobs was invaluable. He credited Ambassador Danding Cojuangco, then the national team’s godfather, for his emergence as an achiever. Moore actually played on two Philippine teams that won the Jones Cup with Jacobs in 1981 and 1985. He also saw action in the PBA with the guest amateur club Northern Consolidated which took the Reinforced Conference crown in 1985. His Northern teammates included Japeth Aguilar’s father Peter, now Arellano coach Jerry Codinera, now Globalport coach Pido Jarencio, Naning Valenciano, now Air 21 assistant coach Tonichi Yturri, now Air 21 head coach Franz Pumaren, Al Solis, Jun Tan and Elmer Reyes. To this day, Moore holds the PBA record for most rebounds in a game by a local with 31 which he registered in Northern’s 114-99 win over Shell on March 5, 1985.

Moore now coaches the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education varsity of Guadalajara and runs his own basketball camp. This past season, he took the varsity to the Mexican collegiate Division II championship. “I still play the game,” he said. “I love basketball and it’s my life. I also enjoy teaching the game.”

Moore has two children with his wife Cristina Montero. Jibran is 18 and Anisah, 15. “Jibran is 6-1,” he said. “He plays for his high school team. He plays a bit like I used to. He jumps as high as I did, dunks easily, he’s very athletic. He’s graduating this year and looking at options in the US, Mexico and the Philippines. I know education is a priority with him and my wife and I are happy with that. He learned the game when he was six so he grew up playing basketball. Jibran has a lot of skills and plays multiple positions. My wife and I will support his decision whatever it may be.”

Moore said he’s in constant touch with Still and Engelland. “Dennis is in Kansas City and runs a basketball academy for kids,” he said. “Chip is well-known as a Spurs assistant coach and has a standing invitation for me to watch games in San Antonio. He’s busy with the Spurs all year long. I’m also in contact with my Filipino teammates and friends on facebook or some other way. I miss the Philippines and hope to visit soon.” Engelland recently said next year would be a perfect time to visit the Philippines to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Jones Cup victory with Moore and Still.