The Way We Were in Basketball
Looking at an update from NBA about the coming World Basketball Championships in Saitama, Japan next year, I am proud that my country is out there at the bottom - in an elite cast of 10 countries who whon podium honors since World Basketball Championships was instituted in 1950. Played once every four years, this is the ultimate of basketball championships, if players consider playing for country more important than playing for a rich ball club.
On the list, the Philippines is the only Asian country to win the top three honors along with United States, Soviet Union, Brazil, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Germany, Russia, Argentina and Chile. The fame we got took place half a century ago in 1954 (I don't remember any basketball official organize a fifty year anniversary for a feat unlikely to be matched in the near future). Francisco Rabat of Davao Oriental, Mariano Tolentino, Benjamin Francisco, Carlos Loyzaga and Lauro Mumar were among the members of the Philippine Team which played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and took the third place after making a scare against the United States before eventually bowing out. USA led 25-22 during halftime when the Philippines made a comeback to take the driver's seat at 31-26. USA won the game 56-43 but the Philippines felt more than just a champion with the bronze medal in an achievement that would probably never be repeated. Loyzaga was chosen as one of the Mythical Five in that tournament and undoubtedly the greatest basketball player the Philippines has ever produced.
It's just a pity that the Philippines is suspended by the basketball authority, FIBA, due to pride and greed by the officials. I was just frustrated when I said Graham Lim is stupid even if I tagged the title as a question. You name them, they are probably the same trying to vindicate themselves at the expense of the sport. Joey Lina, Jose Cojuangco, Tiny Literal, Christian Tan, Bonifacio Alentajan, Mauricio Martelino: useless, inutile, mo yong, walang silbe.
Why do a couple of them go to Switzerland and insist that Philippine Basketball Federation be recognized when its chances is nil? And why does the other camp insist on having a subpar team "chosen from the grassroots level" and a fan of Ricky Calimag, who is a veteran of several embarrassing stints abroad.
I say to you people, give up basketball and support Philippine football.
On the list, the Philippines is the only Asian country to win the top three honors along with United States, Soviet Union, Brazil, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Germany, Russia, Argentina and Chile. The fame we got took place half a century ago in 1954 (I don't remember any basketball official organize a fifty year anniversary for a feat unlikely to be matched in the near future). Francisco Rabat of Davao Oriental, Mariano Tolentino, Benjamin Francisco, Carlos Loyzaga and Lauro Mumar were among the members of the Philippine Team which played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and took the third place after making a scare against the United States before eventually bowing out. USA led 25-22 during halftime when the Philippines made a comeback to take the driver's seat at 31-26. USA won the game 56-43 but the Philippines felt more than just a champion with the bronze medal in an achievement that would probably never be repeated. Loyzaga was chosen as one of the Mythical Five in that tournament and undoubtedly the greatest basketball player the Philippines has ever produced.
It's just a pity that the Philippines is suspended by the basketball authority, FIBA, due to pride and greed by the officials. I was just frustrated when I said Graham Lim is stupid even if I tagged the title as a question. You name them, they are probably the same trying to vindicate themselves at the expense of the sport. Joey Lina, Jose Cojuangco, Tiny Literal, Christian Tan, Bonifacio Alentajan, Mauricio Martelino: useless, inutile, mo yong, walang silbe.
Why do a couple of them go to Switzerland and insist that Philippine Basketball Federation be recognized when its chances is nil? And why does the other camp insist on having a subpar team "chosen from the grassroots level" and a fan of Ricky Calimag, who is a veteran of several embarrassing stints abroad.
I say to you people, give up basketball and support Philippine football.
posted by Unknown at
1:11 AM
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