Basketball has woven itself into the very fabric of Filipino society. From the bustling streets of Manila to the smallest barangays in far-flung islands, there exists a fervor for the sport that goes beyond a mere fandom.

It runs through the veins of every Filipino fan, who would willingly travel great distances and spend a good amount of money just to bathe with the sensation that comes from the wildly cheering crowd, scents of celebration, and taste of triumph.

It is a devotion, a vow that is magnified more than ever in the ongoing 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the campaign of its beloved – sometimes hated – national team, Gilas Pilipinas.

Avid basketball fan, OFW Jaycee Marvin Garcia and his family, dine in one of the restaurants outside the Big Dome ahead of Gilas' classification match vs South Sudan. (Mark Montejo)

Seven thousand kilometers away, the itch of seeing his favorite Gilas players was something Jaycee Marvin Garcia couldn’t resist, prompting him to travel back home to Manila from Abu Dhabi.

Like a pilgrimage to this year’s basketball mecca, the six-year overseas Filipino worker took time off from his busy work as radiographer to join his family and cheer for the national team.

“Sinadya ko talaga na mahabol 'yung Gilas. Dumating ako last Monday, manonood dapat kami ng Tuesday kaso naubusan pa rin kami ng ticket kahit sobrang mahal (I really wanted to catch Gilas' games. I arrived here last Monday, we planned to watch the next day but they ran out of tickets, even the expensive ones),” said Garcia, whose love for Philippine basketball was deeply ingrained in his upbringing.

Together with his entire family – every single member a die-hard Ginebra fan in the PBA – he trooped from Bulacan and patiently waited outside the Araneta Coliseum before Gilas’ classification game against South Sudan.

Mark Noche, a seaman, also came home for the very same purpose.

A self-confessed avid fan of the national team ever since its formation, he was actually part of the historic 38,115 crowd at the Philippine Arena during the Gilas’ opening game against the Dominican Republic.

Seaman Mark Noche and his wife wait for the gates of Smart Araneta Coliseum to open before Gilas Pilipinas' game against Italy. (Mark Montejo)

“Nagbakasyon ako para lang talaga mapanood ‘yung Gilas. Minsan lang ito, mapanood mo live yung Gilas (I took a vacation just to watch Gilas. This is a rare chance for us to watch them live),” said Noche.

“Simula’t sapul pa naman fan na ako ng Gilas. Buong family ko kung san man 'yung Gilas mapa-Araneta man o Philippine Arena, nandun kami para mag-support sa Gilas (I really supported Gilas from the beginning. My whole family also loves them, from their games at Araneta or Philippine Arena, we always go to support them,” he shared.

He was also there through it all, sharing the agony of heartbreak with the Nationals especially the most painful ones in the games against Italy and South Sudan.

He was even caught by the camera in the Big Dome jumbotron, along with his wife and eight-year old son, cheering their hearts out as Gilas cut a once 21-point deficit, 51-30, against the Bright Stars to just four after a two-handed dunk from Kai Sotto off an alley-oop from AJ Edu.

For OFWs like them who are being hailed as the modern day heroes, they are also looking up to their idols the same way -- especially with basketball serving as relief everytime they miss their families when away from home.

Even if Gilas ends up losing, the brave fight the Nationals have been putting up against every tall odds is something that they can relate to. Somehow, it gives them enough confidence and motivation to also face their everyday challenges with the same courage as Gilas.

“Para sa mga OFW, nare-relieve yung pagiging homesick namin once na nakakapanood kami. Nabubuhayan kami ng loob, nagkakaroon din kami ng kumpyansa (For every OFW, watching basketball makes us feel home. It gives us confidence),” he shared.

“Alam mo 'yung nakita mo na lumaban 'yung Pilipinas nakikita mo na even though 'di ikaw yung nandyan pero kalahi mo yung lumalaban iba 'yung pakiramdam (It gives us a sense of pride when we watch fellow Filipinos give it their all),” he added.

For Noche, the inspiration of seeing Gilas leave everything on the floor is not only for him but also for his son Matthew Nathan.
“Sobrang fan talaga siya (He's really an avid fan),” said Noche.

Basketball isn't just a game. It is a family affair, a way of life, and a source of inspiration. Garcia and Noche are living proof of that as they continue to support Gilas day in and out.

Whatever the result is, they will be rallying behind the Nationals just like true fans.