2014 FIBA World Cup: Argentina (3) vs Philippines (34) IR

Yes. We. Can.
Photo courtesy of FIBA.com

85-81.

To paraphrase a widely known movie quote: "It doesn't matter if you lose by an inch or a mile, losing is losing."

This is starting to become a new norm nowadays, celebrating moral victories and being happy or content with our Gilas Pilipinas losing by no more than 10 points to recognized World basketball powerhouses. It's almost too good to be true, when we're supposed to be "lacking in ceiling" and a true blue "Cinderella" story for the ages.

Then you take a look at the other team in our bracket and find Senegal, ranked 3 spots lower than us, enjoying a 2-1 win loss slate compared to our 0-3.

So yeah, let's all move on from the euphoria of making it to the 2014 FIBA World Cup and going toe to toe with some of the world's best. It's time to win. It's time to make a statement. Our players can do it, we're already there. No more excuses, no more drama. Either we're good enough to win or we're not. 

The last paragraph, in its entirety, isn't about being unpatriotic. It's being patriotic. It's believing that our team CAN win. Let's not sit around and sulk and just hope for the best. Let's give Gilas Pilipinas the respect they deserve and expect to win. NOW. Not later, NOW.

Because yes, the Filipino can.

Not almost, but can. We can.

Positive:
- Ranidel de Ocampo finally introduced himself to the basketball world. It took three games for de Ocampo to get into any rhythm but when he did, against the Argentines, there was simply no stopping the Euro-style forward. Moving forward, Gilas will need every bit of a confident de Ocampo to win games since he's that nth scorer we need on the floor to keep us in games.

- Jimmy Alapag is a legend. If, for some reason, he was not before, he definitely is now and forever.

- We are not a small basketball team anymore, at least, not at the center position. Junemar Fajardo is indeed the future. Be it as a back-up center to a naturalized reinforcement or as a possible starting, scoring power forward to, hopefully, a rising Greg Slaughter. And you know what? We'll be just fine.

- Improved ball movement owing to every one comfortable in taking shots hit or miss. No need to step aside for Blatche, if you're open, even if you're not, when you're at your spot, take the shot.

- iso-Blatche. Yes, it is a positive. Because say what you will, but opposing teams still keep an eye for Blatche more than any of our guys (which means, more space/ less attention for our shooters). It would help a lot of course if he could decide much earlier with what to do with the basketball so our guys could position themselves either for the rebound or to get back early on defense.

Negative:

- Inbounding the basketball. Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said it himself. That end game execution, and every single Gilas inbound situation, when pressured, is a wash. Take note of it. We thought that it was only in the game versus Croatia, but it kept happening against Greece and Argentina. Off time outs or dead ball situations, we have a problem getting guys open.

- Jeffrei Chan and Gary David. It's bad enough that Chan is a dud defensively and doesn't want to give up fouls, but he's not making shots. He isn't even moving without the basketball anywhere-- just waiting to get the ball at his spots and that's it. Basically, we brought a Chinito Jayvee Gayoso rather than Allan Caidic's heir apparent.

- Fresh legs. We play at a very insanely fast pace, our guards are up to it, but our bigs look winded after about half a quarter keeping in step and running from baseline to baseline. Blatche, who's already hobbled by an injury, is the one who's being hurt the most by logging in huge minutes and forcing it. This isn't the PBA, he's not some super import, so let the guy off the hook so he can rest and trust the locals.

#LabanPilipinas