Canada welcomes Gilas Legends

MANILA, Philippines — Canada has opened its arms to welcome a team of Gilas Legends on a four-weekend goodwill tour of different cities with basketball clinics for kids, exhibition games and interactive events lined up for Filipino migrants, OFWs, transients and fans of all ages.

The team is composed of LA Tenorio, Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, Marcus Douthit, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gary David, Beau Belga, Arwind Santos and Marc Pingris. Norwood and Tenorio return home tomorrow because of family commitments. Tenorio said he’s spending his 40th birthday with family on Tuesday. Jayson Castro was invited to join the trip and Belga said he hopes the Blur can still make it.

The tour began in Calgary last weekend and Gilas didn’t expect to face the University of Calgary varsity.  “Top five sila sa Canada, mga bata na tinakbuhan at tinambakan kami,” said Tenorio. “Marcus hasn’t played in over eight months, Ping is coming off an injury. First practice namin was in the morning of the game.” PBA commissioner Willie Marcial attended the exhibition before flying out to Toronto the next day for a business meeting. “Ang daming Pinoy at pinasaya ng mga Gilas Legends sila,” said Marcial. 

From Calgary, the Legends motored seven hours to Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan, where they played the University of Regina Cougars. This time, the Legends, averaging 41.4 years of age, had more wind in their sails and lost by six. The next day, they celebrated Canada Day in Regina. Then, the team drove to Lloydminster where clinics were held and took another seven-hour ride to resort town Banff for three free days. The itinerary also includes stops in Edmonton, Winnipeg and St. John’s.

As ambassadors of goodwill, the Gilas Legends are making a positive impact on the Fil-Canadian communities. “Sobrang babait mga Pinoy sa Canada,” said Belga. “Talagang entertain namin sila. ‘Yan lang ang bawi namin. Kahit pagod na, para makabawi sa kanila.”

Belga said the college teams are taking the games seriously. “Napapalaban ang mga 37 and above sa mga college players,” he laughed. “Akala namin mga Pinoy selection ang kalaban na katuwaan lang.  Halos lahat kami wala sa kondisyon at puro bata ang kalaban. Kami-kami lang ang coach. Sana makahabol si Jayson kasi hinahanap siya ng mga fans sa Canada.”