Tuesday of last week was a sad day in Philippine basketball as PLDT's Last Home Stand was cancelled before it even began. This led to boos and catcalls from patrons who shelled out hard-earned money just to watch our very own Gilas Pilipinas square off against a select group of US NBA players before embarking on a training camp in Miami, USA in preparation for the 2014 FIBA World Cup and the Asian Games.
Blake Griffin and Paul George weren't able to make it to the trip due to personal reasons. As it turned out, they dodged a large bullet there as everyone knows by now what happened next. As it turned out, I also dodged a large bullet there as I nearly bought a ticket to that event. What prevented me from doing so is the fact that the cheapest ticket I could possibly afford, worth PhP750, could've only afforded me the farthest seat from the court, so I decided against it and just decided to watch the proceeds on TV.
When I was finally able to watch the event on TV, I reached the part where someone from PLDT was announcing that they will refund the money of those who wouldn't be satisfied by what they will see. Some people booed and I didn't understand why at first. Then there was the interview on US coach John Lucas, and then the Gilas and NBA players squared off in a scrimmage. While I found their scrimmages and the showcase air dunkers entertaining, I immediately felt that there was something wrong with the event, and I initially couldn't understand why. And then I found the embarrassing sports headlines the next time I went online.
It would be hard for me to describe what transpired during the immediate aftermath of the memorable exhibition game that never was. But based on my observations from sports articles written online, it appears that the promoters were at fault for not being able to meet the NBA's requirements for holding the event, which was given to them months in advance.
Whatevere else, I strongly believe that this is only a minor setback for Gilas as far as their World Cup and Asian Games preparation is concerned. I strongly believe that they, as well as the US NBA players, can move on from this temporary setback and give their all-out best in the coming FIBA World Cup. Kudos to PLDT Chairman Manny Pangilinan for taking full responsibility for the fiasco and for offering to refund patrons of their hard-earned money for not getting what they paid for. Kudos as well to my fellow Filipino fans for being a generally well-behaved audience despite the boos and catcalls directed towards the players and organizers of the event. Had this taken place elsewhere, particularly overseas, this probably would've ended in a riot that would've put our country in shame in front of the world basketball community for all the wrong reasons.
Despite the fiasco, my support for Gilas will never ever wane. In fact, I will continue to give them my all-out lifetime support in all of their campaigns, locally and internationally. To Gilas' new Kuya Andray Blatche, welcome to the Philippines and Gilas Pilipinas as we begin our quest for glory starting with the FIBA World Cup. Laban Pilipinas! Puso!
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