Ang Pambansang Angas at Pader ng Pilipinas

ANG PAMBANSANG ANGAS AT PADER NG PILIPINAS

by Antonio C. Antonio

July 19, 2014

In the final series between San Mig Coffee and Rain or Shine in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the two players pro basketball fans loved to hate were Beau Belga and Paul Lee.  Both sport burly physiques and any slight nudge will send other players flying off the basketball court.  Their basketball skill set and playing styles has not endeared them to the fans of the opposing teams.  But good players will always be hated by the fans of the other teams but will always be respected by knowledgeable basketball pundits.

The series had to go the full five games and San Mig Coffee won (3-2).  The day after that sorry loss for their Rain or Shine Team, Beau and Paul has to pack their travel bags to join the Gilas Pilipinas Team in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China (PRC), without the benefit of any rest whatsoever.  Both players were part of the core of players who were able to manage a knock out game with PRC for the bronze medal of the FIBA Asia Cup.

Last night, in a game for 3^rd place, Paul’s three pressure packed free throws with no time left in the clock gave Gilas Pilipinas a one-point lead for a win over PRC. The Chinese basketball players now know what “Pambansang Angas” is all about… unflappable with nerves of steel.  Beau, for his part, was a welcomed reliever to our premiere center, Marcus Doughit.  With Beau playing center, the Chinese players had a good feel of what it is to go up against their own “Great Wall”… ang “Pambansang Pader” ng Pilipinas.

There is really a lot of commendable performances from the players of our national basketball team, namely:   (1) Japeth Aguilar; (2) Kevin Alas; (3) Beau Belga;  (4) Gary David; (5) Jared Dillinger; (6)  Marcus Doughit; (7) June Mar Fajardo; (8) Garvo Lanete; (9) Paul Lee; (10) Ranidel de Ocampo (11) LA Tenorio; and, (12) Jay Washington.  We should also acknowledge the excellent mentorship of Coach Chot Reyes and the rest of his coaching staff.  They are our source of national pride.  Our 3^rd place finish is by far our best in this annual tournament.

Coming into the bronze medal match, the Philippines was clearly the underdog.  PRC’s players were obviously taller and stronger but the Filipino players had more “puso”… an immeasurable fighting spirit against whatever odds.  This brings us to the present territorial dispute in the West Philippines Sea where the Philippines and China are two of the protagonists.  In the Spratly Islands, the Chinese have the military advantage.  (Please read: “Ang Mamatay ng Dahil sa Iyo”, antonantonio.blogspot.com)  What our Gilas Pilipinas Team showcased in Wuhan is the Filipino PUSO… a concept that other nations will only realize if and when they go up against Ang Pambansang Angas at Pader.

Just my little thoughts…

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