Tonight, The Basketball Gods Were On Our Side

I normally don't post stuff not related to GlobalPort in this blog. Check that, this is the first time I'm about to, but I just can't let such a momentous victory like this pass without sharing my thoughts.

Okay, breath in, breath out. As of this writing, I'm still breathing heavily with excitement and adrenaline. In, out, in, out.


First, let's put things on perspective. Korea has been breaking our hearts since the 80s

1986 Asian Games - Korea def. Philippines 103-102 
2002 Asian Games Semifinals - Korea def. Philippinse 69-68
2009 FIBA Asia - Korea def. Philippines 82 - 80
2011 FIBA Asia (for a World Cup berth) - Korea def. Philippines 70-68

It's not just that they beat us each time, it's how they're doing it, beating us by just 1 or 2 points, buzzer-beaters and late minute comebacks.  For 27 years, Korea has been breaking our hearts. For almost 3 decades, the Koreans have been making us their bitches.

Not tonight though. Not tonight.

Not when the basketball gods are finally on our side.

Wait, what? Basketball gods? That's ridiculous, right?

I thought so too. But think about this.  After losing against Taiwan, we were on a collision course with basketball giants China. Well, the "gods" helped us sweep the second round, and lent a hand in helping Qatar beat Taiwan, securing for us the top spot and more importantly, avoiding China in the quarterfinals.

We demolished Kazakhstan after our very own Gary David, averaging 2.6 points per game in the tournament, went bonkers and dropped 22.

Next up? A date with Korea. Our most bitter of rivals. The monkeys that we just can't seem to get off our back.

I saw that infamous 2002 Asian Games semis game on TV with my dad. Racela's big 3 to give us a 2-point lead, his subsequent 2 misses from the free throw line, and the heartbreaking game-winning 3 from the Koreans.

I also saw our 2011 meltdown against the same team, squandering an 8-point fourth quarter lead, and witnessed JVee's last second heave went far right.

Time for payback, right? Not quite. Naturalized American Marcus Douthit went out early, possibly bringing down with him the hopes of an entire Filipino nation.

No problem. The basketball gods just went back to work again.

A 6'4" Pingris playing like a 7-footer, Jayson Castro letting Korean guards eat Filipino dust, Ranidel De Ocampo with his deceptively slow-mo penetrations and dish-offs.  Yep, there's little doubt whose side the basketball gods were on tonight.

I wouldn't even be the least surprised if those gods guided home Ranidel and Jimmy's triples in the final 2 minutes.

Enough of the heartbreaks, enough of all the heartaches. It's time for them gods to reward a nation that has uncomparable passion and heart for the game despite the lack in size.

Now, we finally exorcised our Korean demons, 27 years in the making.

We're on to Spain in 2014. It's not even relevant if Gabe Norwood gets dropped 40 by Carmelo Anthony, or Kyrie Irving breaking Jayson Castro's ankles, or Pau Gasol posterizing Marc Pingris.

Getting there is a victory in itself. A chance to show the basketball world that we exist. Little guys from the pacific playing with big HEARTS.

I don't even care what happens tomorrow against Iran. Whatever the outcome is, it certainly won't take away the glory of this moment.

Roar Out.