A trip to Spain awaits the Gilas Pilipinas following its impressive showing at the recent FIBA Asia Championship. The prize was for the Filipino dribblers' second place finish, a remarkable performance that revived old memories when the country was the game's most dominant force across Asia.
Well, we have reason to celebrate Gilas Pilipinas' unprecedented feat in the recent regional tournament. That historic triumph against perennial rival South Koreans will always be remembered as a validation of our resurgent power while serving as a big boost in the country's campaign in the coming world championship in Spain.
However, what lies ahead is a very difficult task. The world championship is the league of the 'big boys' where the only tough survive. Like the Olympics, it is where the mighty NBA players and the Europeans flex their muscles.
For our boys, overcoming the challenges would certainly be a tall order. It certainly needs more than a miracle for them to shine in the prestigious competition. And things remain to be seen whether the Gilas Pilipinas has what it takes to be rightfully belong to the 'big league.'
While slugging it out in Spain, we can only see a very slim chance for the Gilas Pilipinas to shine. The good showing that the national team had shown in the FIBA Asia Championship will not be enough to send a message to the world that the Philippines is now a force to reckon with.
There's no question that Filipinos' success in regional tournaments has been anchored on their quickness, a vital instrument in winning the game. But basketball has a main ingredient that Filipinos sadly do not have, which is the height.
In the Spain competition, it would be quickness against height for the Filipinos. Going by that line, winning against the tall Americans and Europeans is like defeating the heavily armed Chinese in the conflict over islets in the Spratlys.
Still, we do hope that the magic in the last FIBA Asia Championship will still work for our boys in the Spanish land.