EDITORS DESK

How far can we go?

One could ask the organizers, or perhaps the men at the helm. Have we turned Manila into a charming host? Is the spirit of fiesta already splashed from the walls of the airport to the linings of the hardcourt?

Maybe a curious line for the coaches: have they come up with the perfect antidote to size down the beasts from the west?

How about a challenge for Jordan Clarkson, the Filipino-American honed like a certified star and a demigod among purists, considered the savior from an impending storm. While talent outmatches the doubts, can he carry this nation up to the peak of Olympus?

Questions are aplenty but we have always forgotten the inevitable. Have we asked ourselves, ordinary Filipinos, are we really ready?

When preparedness borders beyond the tangibles and the clock ticks to the first horn at the Philippine Arena, in the face of great opposition, the Gilas Pilipinas and the people behind the curtain, have nothing to count on except for one thing: our solid support.

The Filipino dribblers face the biggest fight of their lives when the 2023 FIBA World Cup unfurls on Aug. 25 across the three hosting nations — Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

With Chot Reyes calling the shots along with his trusted deputies at the sideline, Gilas buckled down to training for months despite the limitations brought by injuries and late arrivals of key players.

Clarkson, the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, only set foot in the country a few days ago, while Kai Sotto has yet to join a full scrimmage due to a lingering back injury. Returning from Europe and China trips, the holes have surfaced, and the results of the tuneup games beg for answers with less than two weeks left before the first match.

These setbacks mean a lot as the members of the squad race against time to become the best version of themselves, groomed to put up a gallant stand against the visitors in the group stage, namely the Dominican Republic, Italy, and Angola, who are as equally motivated to silence the home crowd.
While naysayers would see the imperfections of Gilas, the perspective could not be said when the organizers look at the broader spectrum of problems that may arise.

In reality, the coaches, the players, the countless committees handling huge roles, and the top executive don't lack the mental fortitude — not to say the strength for the physical toll — to tackle the pressure and labor of getting the World Cup rolling.

But for us, the fans, the question lies on how far can we put ourselves together, and be united as one, to bust our lungs out, make it a delirious celebration come the moment of victory, or a bow in the face of defeat.

Gilas Pilipinas may have broken us into pieces in the past, but let them bring us in one brigade. This is not about the team being the target of the discourse of nationalism — the players have sacrificed a lot more than we do in the name of pride.

This is about us, supporting our very own, no matter how high or low. We should, because we are Filipinos.

Now, it serves to ask, are we ready for this?

(Ramon Rafael C. Bonilla is the Sports Editor of Manila Bulletin.)