THE MOURNING AFTER

It was horrendous and downright embarrassing.

Gilas Pilipinas was pelted with criticism, especially at home, after losing the gold medal it worked hard for in the previous edition by failing to advance to the quarterfinals of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games men’s basketball competition.

Gilas, composed of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stars, got booted out by a vengeful China side in a 61-105 one-sided affair to end the group stage on Monday at the Aichi International Arena.

But amid the harsh remarks, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Willie Marcial defended Gilas’ effort and sacrifice for the tricolors despite overwhelming odds.

“It’s painful for me to see that happen. It’s too painful for me as well as for the players,” Marcial said.

“But what can our players do? The Chinese players have the size advantage and are all shooters,” added the PBA official.

Marcial described the atmosphere inside the dugout as that of a funeral.

“There was no crying, but all had their heads down. I couldn’t even look at them because it was just too painful,” the longtime PBA chief said.

“I feel sorry for them, but I salute them for the sacrifices they made and their willingness to serve the country. So, I’m thankful to all of them.”

“China prepared well against us.”

The Gilas debacle opened a lot of questions, from not taking advantage of other naturalized players to fill in for sidelined reinforcement Justin Brownlee, to the preparation and availability of its best players.

Entering the game, the Philippines needed only to win or lose by no more than 37 points to enter the quarters as one of the top two best third-placed teams.

Instead, the Filipinos got clobbered by 44 by the Chinese, who have not forgotten the humiliation they faced at home in the semifinal of the pandemic-delayed Hangzhou semifinal three years ago, behind the heroics of Brownlee in Gilas’ comeback from 20 points down.

Settling for ninth place, it was the country’s worst-ever finish in the Asiad.

Former Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive Noli Eala took to social media after the game to air his disappointment, saying Gilas came out to face China “not to win but to lose by 37.”

Gilas head coach Tim Cone disagrees.

“Actually, Noli knows me very well, so I’m a little surprised,” Cone said upon learning what his friend and long-time basketball colleague has claimed.

“But in my opinion, it was just the opposite, and I felt we started thinking about quotient too late. By the time we did think quotient, China had all the momentum,” he added.

“In hindsight, I wish we had been more concerned about quotient at the beginning of the game.”

Eala’s comments also earned a reaction from Gilas assistant coach Richard del Rosario.

“I respect you. However, before you make wild accusations and presumptions about our mindset, make sure that you know what was said inside the dugout,” Del Rosario wrote in response.

“We are embarrassed by the loss, same as everyone else, but we never entertained the idea to just play not to lose. We played to win!”

Eala answered: “If it was a wrong conclusion then I stand corrected Coach and I apologize. I know how to do that. I wonder if you guys know how to do that, too.”

Gilas fielded an all-local lineup with only Calvin Oftana returning from the 2023 squad that beat Jordan in the finals to end a 61-year wait for a gold medal.

Oftana was even a late addition, flying in just two days before Gilas’ first game as a replacement for Brownlee, who suffered a spate of injuries including knee, hamstring and ankle issues.

SBP formed a different Asiad team from the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers crew, which included 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, 6-foot-11 AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo.

These overseas-based players were not given the green light to represent Gilas in the non-FIBA-sanctioned competition. It also didn’t help that 6-foot-10 veteran June Mar Fajardo retired from the national team after the fourth FIBA window.

Aside from Brownlee, the SBP has a list of other naturalized players, including Ange Kouame, who was part of the Asiad gold medal Gilas squad, Malick Diouf and even National Basketball Association champion Jordan Clarkson.

Bennie Boatwright could’ve gotten his naturalization finished in time for the Asiad if not for the political drama in the Senate that delayed the process.