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If there is one team that can unite the Philippines in this age of dissent and division, it is Gilas Pilipinas. After all, the squad is not called National selection Not at all.
That point is not lost on Kobe Paras, Isaac Go and Dwight Ramos, who will be equipped for the Philippines in the second window Qualifier FIBA Asia Cup 2021 in Manama, Bahrain.
In addition to helping the team to more victories, want to become a beacon of hope for their Filipino comrades during this difficult period with pandemic COVID-19 still stalking the country devastated by a series of typhoons and social climate jarring .
“I am happy to have another chance to create memories with my teammates. (We are going through) difficult times in the country. Ang dami nangyayari. Hopefully as a team we can bring hope to the people,” Paras said in Sports page Monday.
The 23-year-old wingman, who was left out of the tournament’s first window due to persistent injuries, also said he is focusing on becoming a more well-rounded player.
“I don’t want to be (just) the standout player. I want to be the player who makes the pass to the climax, I want to be the player who rebounds, who cheers from the bench, I want to be a whole – around the player,” Paras said. “I don’t care if people notice me or not. I just want to play the right way. I just want to help the country improve as a whole, and basketball is a sport that unites. “
Go, who has become a mainstay of Gilas Pilipinas, echoed the sentiments of his teammate.
“We are the lucky ones who were chosen to represent the country. We know that, given the opportunity, anyone would want to take our place. So we have to respect him giving everything we have and that when we go to the field., Not only will go as 12 players with the coaching staff, but we also have everyone at home, the millions of Filipinos with us in spirit, cheering us on, and we have to represent them in the best possible way. ” Go said.
Gilas Pilipinas conducted a training camp for nearly two weeks at the Inspire Academy in Calamba, Laguna before flying out on Sunday. The team had practice twice a day, but coach Jong Uichico admitted that they wished they had more time to prepare. Limitations imposed by the pandemic did not help as well as they were unable to invite teams into much-needed skirmishes.
The national quintet will face Thailand twice, first on Friday and again on Monday.
“As much as we wanted to be early, we were a little later than expected. We are trying to get things done as quickly as possible,” Uichico said. “We are not in game form. We are not fluid at the moment. Kaya important sana ‘yung scrimmages. That’s what we lack. But we are doing the best with what we have.
But even with the limitations, players are still happy to finally be back in action. Not to mention carrying the flag.
“(It’s great to experiment) combining different players from different teams, combining different basketball minds. It’s been fun to go out and play with everyone. I think we’re on the right pace,” said Ramos, who contributed five points. five rebounds, two assists and two steals in Indonesia’s 100-70 loss in February.
“They play hard. They have energy. They have intensity. If they can translate all that into the cerebral part of the game, then they are already the perfect group. That would come with maturity, exposure, because they are already trainable,” said Uichico, who also made the decisions. for the Philippines at the 2002 Asian Games and the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.
“Everybody’s going to the boys with their teams, but now all go to the boys on a computer. So how will channel their individual skills in a team concept? Everyone can score, but is confident that your teammate you can also check “. Despite their young age, the players have already embraced their roles as athletes and the importance of setting an example for future generations.
“I think what coach Jong and coach (consultant Gilas Pilipinas) Tab (Baldwin) have preached is that anyone can be a leader. In every practice, someone else is improving, and that’s important now grow a new generation of leaders and show that leaders are not born but are made. You have to take responsibility, “Go said.
“(We do this) for our compatriots. When they see us, enjoy the game. When we win, we not only gain us is the whole country. We just want to do our best, not only for us but for the first line, for all the people who sacrifice, “said Paras.
