With Douthit, Alapag in list: Gilas Phl promises another ‘Seville’

MANILA, Philippines - Gilas Pilipinas will leave for Incheon Saturday to vie for the gold in the Asian Games, steeled with the same passion and desire it unleashed in Seville, Spain to live and die for flag and country.

It will be a high-powered competition among the best in the region which will be followed religiously by the Filipinos that even the nation’s high officials issued a Palace statement, wishing the team good luck.

“We take this opportunity to wish our team good luck. Recently, during the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas exhibited Filipino excellence in sports by playing with fervent passion, scoring our first win in 40 years and winning the hearts of international audiences. Over the next two weeks, let us show Team Philippines the same support as they carry our flag in the 2014 Asian Games and again showcase the ability of the Filipino people to the world,” said Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.

National coach Chot Reyes has vowed the Nationals will fight to the end during the 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 Sept. 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. “Phl facing possibility to play 11 players. This is unacceptable. We should have the allowable 12 players.”

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives presented yesterday resolutions to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny Pangilinan and members of the Gilas Pilipinas team honoring them for their impressive performance in the recent FIBA World Cup.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. led lawmakers in presenting House Resolution No. 129 to Pangilinan that expressed the chamber’s deep appreciation and cited his “untiring support and inimitable dedication to Gilas Pilipinas,” resulting to an impressive and commendable performance of the team to the International Basketball Federation World Cup of Basketball in Seville, Spain.

The resolution cited Pangilinan as an “accomplished and highly esteemed businessman, who has a solid reputation as a telecommunications and media tycoon, philanthropist, socio-civic leader and sports patron.”

“The low profile, generous and highly respected corporate genius MVP holds the distinction of being the only Filipino who was invited to sit in the FIBA Central Board, the body which has the power to establish the FIBA Internal Regulations and to assign the organization of all FIBA Basketball World Cup,” the measure said.

House leaders also presented House Resolution No. 130 to members and officials of the Gilas Pilipinas that cited their “gallant efforts and competitive spirit” during the tournament.

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. – With report from Paolo Romero