So who really won?

So who really won?

Politics is an ugly thing, and it applies not only to our much-ridiculed government or church. It is part of everyday life, of trying to be “politically correct” in each and every scenario and “doing the right/ just thing” at all times.

In a previous entry we wrote about how the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s Basketball team should take their exhibition game against the PBA All Stars as more than just a tune-up match. No, we weren’t asking that Gilas head coach Chot Reyes et al unleash 7”0 naturalized center Marcus Douthit on the undersized PBA selection or that they start showing off each and every set in the playbook. We simply wanted both teams to engage in a good, old-fashion “I’m better than you” brand of basketball.


What we were left with was a game that had one side playing for pride and the other just going through the motions and content with falling behind before rallying late to save their tails, seemingly forgetting that the word PILIPINAS was dry-stamped unto their chests.

Of course it had to end in a tie. Of course the game was close and no one got blown out of the water with a 20-piecing. Of course. Of course. Of course.

Are we taking the EXHIBITION match a tad bit too seriously?

Damn straight we are.

We’ve seen other countries’ national teams play in tune-ups before. They go through the motions, just like Gilas, allow opponents to break their timid defenses (and put on a show at times) but they never allow themselves to be pushed to the point of being beaten if not for an answered prayer by way of Jeffrei Chan’s three pointer with 0.6 to play.

It’s all water under the bridge now because Gilas TIED the game, but what if they didn’t? What if Chan didn’t nail that three pointer? People would probably raise hell and change their stance once again.

Never mind that both teams broke the 100 point barrier, we’ll credit that to this being another “All Star Game.” But for Gilas to actually lose to a team who only had one legit PBA center in the fold?

What a shame.

Hopefully, just like in yesterday’s exhibition match versus the CBA’s Shanghai Sharks, Gilas will start taking games more seriously and not allow themselves to look mediocre any time that they take the hard court. After all, you're only as good as your last outing (harsh, but true) and that consistency (playing your best at all times) breeds success.

Honestly, we’d doubt that the PBA exhibition game would be that close had Jimmy Alapag been able to play. You just know that the many-time National Team banner man wouldn’t allow the game to end in a tie.