#Puso

A win and two losses.

Gilas Pilipinas needs to win their remaining assignments (while hoping for the very best) in the ongoing 2014 Asian Games basketball tournament after losing back to back games in two straight days. How quickly this team gets its act together and move on from all the internal strife and drama will ultimately determine if #Puso is a proud battle cry or just another clever marketing campaign (that’s being milked until the mythical cow’s utters bleed dry IMHO).

How did we get here? Why are people going on lengthy Twitter threads about Gilas’ coaches and or players? Why does Gilas head coach Chot Reyes almost, always throw his wards under the bus after bad games—feelings, mental stability and focus be damned?

The win over India was expected. They’re a young, promising team that’s built on length and shooting but maybe a few more tournaments away from doing some real damage. The loss against Iran was painful because we were so close to actually exorcising our Haddadi demons.

But this one, against Qatar, well, let’s go back to the Iran game first shall we?

Gilas Pilipinas' defense takes spotlight vs Asia's Best

Gilas Pilipinas' Junemar Fajardo
in 2014 Asian Games action
(Photo courtesy of Conzace)

Gilas Pilipinas forward Marc Pingris and naturalized center Marcus Douthit battle for possession against an Indian defender in Tuesday’s 2014 Asian Games action in Incheon South Korea. The Filipinos dominated the Indian squad, 85-76, to book their first win of the tournament.

Fresh from the rousing success of notching the Philippines’ first win in 40 years in the FIBA World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas takes on yet another formidable task as it squares up against Asia’s elite basketball squads at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

Focus immediately shifted on how Gilas Pilipinas’ defensive tenacity will translate to wins and eventually advance the entire nation’s dreams of capturing a gold medal at the Asian Games. This came shortly after the Filipino squad kicked off their Asiad campaign with an 85-76 demolition of India last Tuesday. Once again, the team showcased its patented #LabanKungLaban defense, as it torched the opposition from the opening buzzer and never looked back until the final seconds of the match to book its first win.

From Spain to Korea

Gilas Pilipinas embarks yet on another historic journey following their moral victory-filled campaign in the recently concluded 2014 FIBA World Cup tournament-- this time in beautiful Incheon, Korea as part of the 2014 Asian Games.

By now, you've probably heard of Gilas' little debacle concerning 2014 FIBA World Cup reinforcement Andray Blatche and of how he will not be suiting up for the team in Korea owing to a technicality. In his place is resident Gilas' import Marcus Douthit, who'll have to (re)convince the entire Filipino basketball community that though he's not at par with the offensively-gifted Blatche, he can still get the job done.

Now, because of the way our team performed against some of the World's best basketball teams, it's easy to fall into the trap of expecting an instant medal finish-- hell, a gold even being that we're the only Asian team that wasn't blown out by more than 15 points in a single game the entire 2014 FIBA World Cup.

Don't.