US team chaplain prays for Gilas success in Spain

MANILA, Philippines - US team chaplain Morris Michalski said yesterday he’s praying for Gilas’ success at the FIBA World Cup in Spain and while the Philippines will be up against formidable opposition, Kevin Durant’s spiritual adviser waxed Biblical in likening the national team to a David among Goliaths.

Michalski, 59, is in town with a touring Athletes In Action (AIA) basketball team. The visitors flew in from the US last July 24 and leave Tuesday. So far, they’ve conducted clinics at the Technological Institute of the Philippines, Delpan Bridge covered court in Manila, the resettlement area in Barangay Balubad, Marikina, the MGC-New Life Academy, San Andres Gym, Batangas City, Nasugbu, St. Stephen High School and Northwestern University in Laoag City. The group also undertook relief operations at Barangay Palikpikan in Balayan, Batangas, community service in Payatas and gift-giving at Boys Town in Marikina, UP Village and Sikatuna Village and consoled cancer patients at East Avenue Hospital.

The AIA team, starring 6-2 Traevon Jackson of the University of Wisconsin, has played games against FEU Team B, reinforced by PBA cager Denok Miranda, at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum, the LGU Laguna Selection in Nasugbu and St. Stephen with PBA “imports” Dave Marcelo, Carlo Lastimosa, Ogie Menor and Marvin Hayes in Binondo. AIAmay engage Blackwater, the national U18 team, Kia Motors and Globalport before winding up the tour which is a project of the Campus Crusade for Christ’s sports ministry.

Michalski was invited by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo to serve as US team chaplain starting at the 2006 FIBA World Cup in Saitama. He was with the US squads that took the gold at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and the 2010 FIBA World Cup. Michalski will join the US team in camp in Chicago and New York then take a few days off at home in Ohio before reuniting with the squad for the group stage of the FIBA World Cup in Bilbao.

It is Michalski’s fourth trip to Manila. On his third trip in 2006, Michalski brought along George Mason University guard Gabe Norwood who eventually made his way to the PBA and the Philippine national team. “I was impressed with Gabe’s leadership qualities and that’s why I invited him to Manila in 2006 after George Mason went to the NCAA Final Four,” said Michalski. “Then, Gabe came along for another AIA tour in Europe the next year. I’m proud of his development as a Christian athlete.”

As for Gilas’ campaign in Spain, Michalski said he would like to see the Philippine team play with hope and fighting spirit. “We’ve read all about the David and Goliath stories,” he said. “Gilas could be the David of the World Cup. It’s about playing with heart and love for each other, love of country. It will involve a lot of sacrifice but if you play with hope, you’ll fight hard. If you play with little hope, you’ll fight not as hard and if you play with no hope, you won’t fight at all. Gilas has the opportunity to give people hope. It’s hope for today and tomorrow, for the Filipino people. It’s an honor for the Philippines to return to the World Cup after 36 years.”

Michalski said Gilas must remember that courage is not the absence of fear. “It is the presence of one fear that takes away the other fears,” he said. “The one fear is that when you come home, there’s still gas in your tank, knowing you didn’t give it your best. When you’re out there to compete, there should be no escape route, no Plan B. It’s like Cortez who ventured to discover Mexico and burned his ships because there was no turning back. I’ve always told my team that we have only two rules – love each other and as coach, to love them all. We go back to the purpose of creation, to give glory to God. We’re all good at attributions, figuring out why we lost or won a game, analyzing stats and strategies. But let’s not forget the culture of care, the spirituality of sport. John Wooden once explained the importance of the pyramid of success where the three points were condition, skill and team spirit. Condition isn’t just physical but also mental. It’s the centering aspect of keeping balance through healthy living. In a spiritual sense, it’s bringing honor to God and doing nothing detrimental. It’s an approach to life and it’s a goal to shoot for. A win is too small a goal to shoot for, you shoot for something bigger. One who has Christ has everything, one who has everything but not Christ has nothing and one who has everything and Christ has no more than one who has only Christ.”

In mentoring the US team, Michalski said he interacts with the players in their “emancipation.” “We talk to each other,” he said. “We talk about freeing up and not being hostage to the scoreboard. We talk about humility, that the way up is down, that humility comes before honor. You’ll be amazed at how relieved the players are when we talk about spirituality making them whole. We’re fortunate that Jerry and coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) believe in faith, hope, love and developing a culture anchored on a relationship with Christ.”

Michalski said last year, he took a pick-up US collegiate team to play top- notch senior men’s national teams in an African tour. “We only had six practices and none of our players was an All- American and all, except one, averaged less than double figure points for their college teams,” he said. “But we played for the glory of God. We played with faith, hope and love. And you wouldn’t believe that we beat two-time African champion Tunisia.”

Michalski said he has developed a special relationship with Durant. “During the last NBAAll-Star Weekend, KD was asked what he thought of the moniker Slim Reaper and replied he didn’t like it, preferring the Servant instead,” he said. “That’s how KD is. It’s not about himself, it’s about glorifying God, loving his fellow man, giving people hope. I’ve interacted with guys like Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Tayshaun Prince and Andre Igoudala. These guys own multi-million dollar contracts but they’re with the US team for a purpose. It goes beyond the game. It’s victory on the court and victory in life.”