Basketball diplomacy at Paco Arena  

The French Navy’s Aquitaine-class destroyer Lorraine ends its one-week port call in Manila tomorrow with a highlight of the visit a basketball friendly between the sailors and PBA team Blackwater at the Paco Arena last Tuesday. Students from the French School of Manila, officers and staff of the French Embassy, members of the French community, Blackwater executives, fans and media witnessed the game which was officiated by SBP referees under FIBA rules.

French Ambassador to the Philippines Madame Michele Boccoz said the game was one of the last events to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and the Philippines. She mentioned that when the Lorraine crew requested to play a sport during the port call, basketball immediately came to mind. “Filipinos take their sport seriously and basketball is almost like a religion,” she said. Rear Admiral Geoffroy d’Andigne, Joint Commander of the French Armed Forces in Asia Pacific, joined the Ambassador in the opening ceremony before the tip-off. Blackwater team owner and Ever Bilena CEO Dioceldo Sy said the friendly was a wonderful platform to foster stronger ties with France through basketball diplomacy. “Unfortunately, the plan to bring Tony Parker’s team to Manila last year didn’t push through so when we were asked to play Lorraine, we were excited to do it,” said Sy. “We’re good friends with Madame Ambassador and Counselor Marc Piton and we felt this was a perfect opportunity to show our hospitality.”

Blackwater interim head coach Joe Silva, subbing for Jeff Cariaso, was all business from the onset with a starting cast of Troy Rosario, RK Ilagan, Gab Banal, Mike Ayonayon and Ato Ular. Rosario fired the first salvo with a dunk then Ilagan knocked down three straight triples. As the game went on, Silva deployed three “reinforcements” – strength and conditioning coaches Noel Zorilla and Justin Aquino and physical therapist Julianne Valencia. The Bossing raced to a 24-10 lead to close the first quarter and opened a 35-18 advantage on Baser Amer’s triple. Lorraine’s 5-7 point guard Esteban Gutierrez, who is of Spanish descent, buried a near logo triple at the buzzer to cut the lead to nine, 41-32 at the half. As a gesture of respect, Silva brought in Ular, Rosario, Banal, Mike DiGregorio and Amer to finish the contest with a strong five in the last two minutes. The final score was 83-61.

Zorilla, wearing Rashawn McCarthy’s jersey, said it was a fun experience and privilege for Blackwater to host Lorraine. Aquino jokingly said he’ll consult his agent whether or not to join the coming PBA draft after his showing. Valencia counted his points, four in all and said he’ll never forget his moments in the spotlight. Gutierrez, 21, came away with Ilagan’s jersey as a souvenir and was clearly Lorraine’s best player. He dribbled behind the back, made no-look passes, hit triples and scored on floaters. Lorraine Captain Jerome Henry said some players on the French team had never played the game before but went out to enjoy the friendly just the same. Lorraine’s best player, a former French league D3 pro, went down with a knee injury during a practice last Saturday, flew back to France for surgery and will be sidelined for three to six months. Rosario said playing a friendly is more than basketball and no matter the level of competition, it’s always an opportunity to show respect and Filipino hospitality to foreign visitors.