THEKIDWANDERER

Courtesy of FIBAonBTV

After four matches, Gilas Pilipinas finally received its first win against powerhouse Senegal. Although our hope for the round of 16 is no longer with us at least our team will go back home with a single win. Well I would say all of the matches with Gilas were all closed with a single digit deficit except Greece. A heartbreaking loss but already showed a heart of a champion after 4 decade not in the world stage.

Courtesy of FIBA.com

Gilas Pilipinas downed Senegal at the final score of 80 – 79 in Overtime after tied at 64 at the end of regulation. The Philippines showed relentless action with their last game. At the end of first quarter, Senegal was on the lead at the score of 19-13. However the Philippines was determined to win the game. Gilas Pilipinas finished the first half leading at the score of 37-24, then 49-44 at the end of third quarter. The lead started with a raining basket from the three point line back to back to back courtesy of Blatche, Lee, and the captain, the Mighty Mouse himself Jimmy Alapag.

Team Captain Jimmy Alapag and naturalized player Andray Blatche both scored 18 points. The Beast, June Mar Fajardo, had an impressive performance after posting 15 points and 9 rebounds. He also inserted all heart fathom with the other players.

At fourth quarter, Fajardo made a crucial dunk followed by layup from Blatche to give the Philippines 64 – 61 lead. But Senegal trailed the score tied at 64 after trey in 33 seconds.

After the chance of victory at the end of regulation, the team didn’t allowed the lead back to Senegal. They’re gaining momentum, Gilas opens triple opening the overtime for 67-64 lead. Alapag, Blatche and The Kraken worked together to give a victory for the Philippines.

We may not enter the 2nd round but the Philippines had the most exciting games in this tournament. It’s a priceless victory. The 34th ranked team gave a heart beating and thrilling games to the top caliber teams in the world.

This would be the second time for the Philippines and in FIBA 2014 for an overtime match at the elimination round. Now with their last game, give it to us, it feels like we won the Championship in FIBA World Cup. After today, Gilas Pilipinas will fly back home and then proceed its journey to the Asian Game in Incheon, Korea.

And to Spain 2014 spectators, Filipinos are the people with the biggest heart and fighting hard for the pride of the country. Thank you for making the Philippines part of the tournament. No matter what happens, I am effing proud Filipino. We hope that there would wildcard for the Round of 16. Congratulations and goodluck to all teams who made it to the next round. See you next time in FIBA 2019, it might be held here in Manila, Philippines.

Gilas Pilipinas hasn’t won any single match yet after facing three of the top powerhouse teams in the world. However the undersize Pinoys shows a big heart with every match. They may have lost but never lost any fans, in fact, they have earned more admirers not just in the country but now in the world.

The Philippines gave a heart pounding game against Croatia. It is one of the best ever play in Philippine basketball history. Though the Philippine National Team lost to this highly ranked team at 78 – 81 in overtime yet they gave a huge scare at the start up to end of regulation. That was a great effort for the team. Gilas falls just short but for us it's already a winner.

The second match still in Seville, Spain was against the mighty Greece. Gilas Pilipinas received its second straight loss in 82 – 70. This highly-ranked Greek team, 5th in FIBA World Ranking exhibited over the Philippine team in five-inch height advantage. Nevertheless, we are proud to be matched with one of the World’s greatest team. We never made it easy for this Greek team and this is something we should be proud of. Tambak bang maiturong ang labindalawang puntos?

And the most effing match with Gilas Pilipinas is against the third-ranked team in the world, The Argetine. The Philippines led the first half at 25 – 22 but Argentina controlled the game in the third and fourth quarter. Although the Philippines tumbles to third straight loss 85 - 81 yet it is one of the best game in FIBA World Cup 2014. Argentina barely survived the defense of the National team. I would say that this is the best match so far in Spain 2014. It was electrifying as the mighty mouse himself Jimmy Alapag trailed and thrilled Argentine crowd. He gave a hope to sleepless Filipinos watching the game in almost midnight, local time.

Aside from unparalleled performance of the Team Captain, National Team wingman Gabe Norwood also pulls attention in social media as he posterized a pair of dunks against longtime Argentina star Luis Scola. And that made him remained a trending topic on twitter. It makes the Philippine Basketball beyond the world’s expectation. It’s enough reason to be proud and happy for the team. Gilas team indeed continues to receive praises from Basketball fanatics.

With two remaining games in their group phase, the Philippines has to win both to advance into round of 16. They will be facing Puerto Rico and Senegal. I am very impressed with the Filipino spirit. We maybe underdog, undersize or whatever, we are hell of a player. Win or Lose! It feels so proud because I know you are fighting until the last second of the game. Godbless Philippines. Goodluck Gilas Pilipinas.

Photo Courtesy of www.fiba.com | https://www.facebook.com/FIBA

Below photo courtesy of: https://twitter.com/HaeLGRfX