‘We’ll die to make our country proud’

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas will die to make the Philippines proud in the Asian Games basketball competition in Incheon, Korea.

National coach Chot Reyes made this promise to Gilas fans on a street party at the Araneta Center Wednesday night celebrating Gilas Pilipinas’ proud showing in the recent FIBA World Championship in Spain.

The Wednesday night festivities that drew a huge, raucous crowd also served as Gilas’ sendoff party for its campaign in the Incheon Asiad beginning Aug. 23 versus a qualifier that is likely Kazakhstan.

“We’re not in the habit of making promises. We didn’t make any promise going to the FIBA World Cup except that nobody’s going to try harder,” Reyes said. “In Incheon, it’s the same, we’ll die to make our country proud. We’ll show this is the team that’s representing the Filipino people.”

With injury concern, Reyes will be phoning to team manager Aboy Castro his Final 12 before the team managers’ meeting in Incheon today. Castro left for Korea ahead of the rest of the Gilas group Wednesday.

In the Gilas list after the delegation heads meeting last week were Marcus Douthit, Jimmy Alapag, Paul Lee, LA Tenorio, Gary David, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Jared Dillinger, Japeth Aguilar, Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris and Junmar Fajardo.

Meanwhile, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan allayed fears there would be a problem on Douthit’s takeover of Andray Blatche’s spot in the Gilas roster.

“Marcus cleared by OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) in their Sept 8 letter to us and by IAGOC (Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee) during the DRM last Sept 11,” said Pangilinan on his Twitter account.

“We have fully complied with all procedures and requirements making Marcus eligible and part of a 12-man roster,” Pangilinan also said. “PH facing possibility to play 11 players. This is unacceptable. We should have the allowable 12 players.”

The Gilas delegation leaves for Incheon Saturday.

After tangling with the Group B top qualifier which is likely to be Kazakhstan, the Nationals take a rest then play Iran on Sept. 25.

Gilas needs at least a split of these assignments to make the quarterfinals.