Despite loss, it was still an amazing debut for Gilas

SEVILLE, SPAIN - It took 34 years before the Philippines returned to the world stage in basketball.  And in its debut game, Gilas Pilipinas earned the respect and praise of the entire world even after bowing to a tough Croatian side.

Most basketball aficionados following the 2014 FIBA World Cup expected a blow out by the Croats.  The 16th-ranked Croatia is one of the teams to beat in the competition.  Who would have thought a small country from Southeast Asia could give Croatia a run for its money in the tournament’s opening day?

Slow start

Croatia’s huge size advantage was evident from the get go.  It started with a solid five composed of 6’10” Dario Saric, 7’1” Ante Tomic, veteran playmaker Roko Ukic, 6’5” shooting guard Krunoslav Simon and American Oliver Lafayette.  This was a formidable group on the floor and Gilas had a clear match up problem.

As expected, Croatia took early advantage of the mismatches and immediately started its offense at the post.  Tomic, the tallest guy on the floor got the pass in the post and was immediately swarmed by Gilas’ defense.  This allowed Simon an open jumper from the elbow.

Gilas was quick to make the necessary defensive adjustments to address the post play of Croatia.  But the Croats had other weapons too.  They went to their guards and ran pick and roll plays.  Croatia finished the quarter ahead, 23-9.  At this point, it looked like the Europeans were about to pull away early.

Second quarter climb

The Croats were not just a defensive nightmare for Gilas.  They were also an excellent defensive team.  Despite Gilas’ magnificent ball movement, Croatia still managed to contest all shots, making it difficult for the Pinoys to get the open looks.  Even Jayson Castro could not use his usual cat-quick penetrations as he was met by Croatia’s behemoths in the paint.

But Gilas slowly chopped the deficit down with accurate outside sniping.  The Pinoys unloaded three three-point shots in the second canto.  They also defended the post well with double-teaming schemes and quick rotation.

NBA player Bojan Bogdanovic became a force to be reckoned with in the post as he gave his team a 37-24 edge with just over a minute in the first half.

But Jimmy Alapag, the long-time national team point guard, hit his first three pointer in the world championship with 1:07 left, and got fouled in the process.  His converted charity shot cut the Croatian lead to just nine points.

The next time Croatia went to the post, the Philippine defense was ready and succeeded in making the crucial stop.  This was followed by a great play consummated by a hand off by Gabe Norwood to Jeff Chan, who beat the buzzer with a long trey as the fans went wild.

The Philippines entered the halftime with just a slim 31-37 deficit.

Fierce battle in the third period

Both teams entered the third quarter with fire in their eyes.  Chan opened up the period with another three-point bomb.  The Croats made an awesome display of their offense with great ball movement and proficient shooting.  But Blatche started to take charge and proved why he is one of the promising big men in the NBA today.  He completed a three-point play and also had one triple.

Castro uncorked his own trifecta to slice the deficit to just three markers at 49-52. But in the next play, Castro was slapped a technical foul for flopping.  It was a questionable call considering that 6’5” guard Simon barreled through Jason’s defense causing the 5’10” Filipino guard to fall on his back.  Both technical foul shots were converted by Croatia.  And just before the end of the third canto, Damir Markota hit a triple to give the Croats a 57-49 edge.

Pinoy fighting heart on full display

The payoff period was supposed to be when Croatia would finally come in full throttle and smash any hope that Gilas could pull off a king-size upset in the World Cup.

But instead, Gilas drew inspiration from the thousands of Filipino supporters that came to the Palacio Municipal de Deportes coliseum and fought toe-to-toe with the mighty Croats. The cheering Pinoys filled up maybe 70% of the gym.

Ranidel de Ocampo opened up the quarter with a trey from the corner off a Castro drive and kick. This ignited a 12-7 run by Gilas with clutch Chan and Mark Pingris to come to within just three points. Then Blatche drilled another triple to tie the count at 64-all with 3:15 remaining.  6’11” Croatian center Luka Zoric sank two charities to give back the lead to his team, 66-64.

But then, with less than three minutes remaining in the match, 6’10” Dario Saric fouled Chan in his three-point attempt. The Rain Or Shine star made good all his three free throws to put the Philippines in the driver’s seat for the first time, 67-66.

It was pandemonium in Seville.

One defensive stop followed by a Blatche under goal stab gave Gilas an incredible 69-66 edge with 2:20 left in regulation.

Another successful defensive stop by Gilas followed. But Blatche made a turnover that was followed by a trey from Simon to even the score at 69-all.  Saric’s putback put Croatia ahead again at 71-69 at the 1:33 mark.

Castro forced another deadlock with a floater with 39 ticks left. Croatia failed to convert on the other end.  The last shot in regulation belonged to Gilas.

Castro planned on doing what he does best – penetrate with blinding speed. But he was met by a huge wall of Croatian defense forcing him to make the kick out pass to Chan. Chan’s potential game-winning shot was contested by Croatia and missed its target.

Regulation ended at 71-all.

The overtime of our lives

This overtime period was to be the finest overtime experience anyone in the Gilas squad could ever have.  It was an overtime game that the whole world would be talking about.

At this point, the entire Filipino nation already felt like winners. Of course the thought of an upset victory over Croatia crossed the minds of every Filipino who was a witness in the game.

The next five minutes were played with excellent basketball in a nip-and-tuck affair.  Both teams traded baskets until the last deadlock came at the 1:47 mark with a Tomic penetration, 75-all.

Four free throws gave Croatia a 79-75 lead.  Blatche unloaded from beyond the arc to push Gilas to within one, 78-79.  But it turned out to be the final successful offense for Gilas.  The final score was 81-78 for Croatia.

The appreciative crowd gave Gilas the standing ovation they rightfully deserved.

Despite the wide height advantage, Croatia only outrebounded Gilas by five, 43-38. NBA campaigners Blatche and Bogdanovic led the way with 28 and 26 markers respectively.

It was evident that the Filipinos had the bigger heart in this game.

After the game, Gilas coach Chot Reyes told this writer that he had the most congratulatory greeting in a lost game in his long decorated career.  It was an overtime loss that every Filipino can be proud of.

And why not?  This game proved to the world that the Philippines truly belonged in the Basketball World Cup.