Although the aspirational campaign of the Philippines for a berth in the Paris Olympics in 2024 is all over, the 38,155 Filipinos and millions of others are hurting. Why should Gilas Pilipinas suffer four straight losses before waking up to the reality that we are the host of the world's most prestigious basketball tournament?

National interest should have been the guiding principle in preparing for this global affair that our people love so much. In deference to the presence of our guests let us wait after they have left to discuss in this column the various other interests that may have spoiled our preparation for FIBA World Cup 2023 Philippines.

Meanwhile, let us share and enjoy together the blessings that this thing called sport has provided us in celebration of humanity in our country.

It was midway through the third quarter before Jordan Clarkson took over with his fantastic shooting, with four straight three-point shots that put  Gilas ahead 73-51 at the end of the third,  maintaining that lead until the end of the fourth,  with the final score, Philippines  96, China 75.

Clarkson scored 34, Rhenz Abando 14, Kai Sotto 12, Dwight Ramos 11, Jun Mar Fajardo 9, Roger Ray Pogoy 7, AJ Edu 5, Scottie Thompson 4, Kiefer Ravena 0, Japeth Aguilar 0.

This situation was similar in the first game of Gilas with the Dominican Republic, except that had Chot paced Clarkson and allowed him some rest before the fourth quarter, the inaugural game could have been an easy win for the home team.

The colossal defeat devastated the 38,115 basketball-crazy fans present.

The attendance at the world's largest indoor coliseum in the country registered in the Guinness World Records the biggest numbers for a single FIBA World Cup basketball match.

It took Chot and his players  to play "and practice" four times and lose on thin margins — in the  Philippine Arena, Mall of Asia, and Araneta Coliseum — before the watchful eyes of basketball enthusiasts from all over the sports capitals of the world.

It was only after the fourth loss that Chot gained mastery of the plays that could clinch a victory, and he did it wonderfully. It was a massacre. Gilas registered its biggest win ever, at home, in FIBA World Cup history.

The fault, perhaps, for Gilas' four losses lay in a lack of practice. Had the team had sufficient time to practice their winning combinations,  it might have been a different story. No sports team in the world can win a championship without practice. Practice makes perfect.

Jordan Clarkson saved the Philippines from another winless FIBA World Cup run, salvaging a lackluster team performance.

The third-place finish of the national team in the 1954 FIBA World Cup in Brazil has remained unsurpassed by any Asian country until now.

The 1954 squad will always be remembered for having been inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame of the Philippine Sports Commission.

The feat of the immortal squad included winning six and losing only two.

The Philippines beat the following countries: Paraguay 64-52; Taipei 48-38; Uruguay 67-63; Canada 83-76; Israel 90-56; and France 66-60. The Philippines lost to: Brazil 62-99; and USA 43-56.

The scoring leader was Carlos Loyzaga with an average score of 16.4 points per game. The captain ball was Lauro Mumar and the coach was Herminio Silva. Player and senator-to-be Ambrosio Padilla headed the 1954 national basketball team.