NAGOYA, Japan – A day after the 44-point beating at the hands of the vengeful Chinese squad, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial is still feeling the pain.

The 61-105 defeat was devastating too all members of the team, and so was the bashing they received on social media.

“Masakit para sa akin to see that happen. Sobrang sakit at ganun din sa mga players,” said Marcial, who described the dugout after the massacre as though someone was dead.

But he defended the Gilas players, saying: “Pero ano magagawa ng mga players natin, ang tatangkad ng mga Chinese players ngayon, mga shooters pa.”

“There was no crying, pero lahat nakatungo. Halos ayaw ko rin silang tignan, masakit eh,” Marcial, who comforted them like a good shepherd to his flock.

“Nakakaawa kasi sila and I salute them for the sacrifices they made and their willingness to serve the country. So nagpapasalamat pa rin ako sa kanila ng husto,” said Marcial.

Even though the coaches did their best, Marcial said: “Talagang pinaghandaan tayo ng husto ng China.”

When they go home on Wednesday, Marcial is asking the critics of the team to spare the players for they have their own families.

“Sayang nga dapat mas nauna yung window ng FIBA World Cup qualifiers kaysa sa Asian Games,” added Marcial. “Sana hindi ganito. Iba talaga kapag walang naturalized players.

Even Bahrain, with four naturalized players, was beaten black and blue by the Chinese.