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Manila Bulletin devider Feature devider A historic victory for Philippine basketball

A historic victory for Philippine basketball

Published Feb 12, 2024 02:26 am

2023 proved to be a banner year for Gilas Pilipinas after winning the elusive gold in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The national team’s historic victory, a first after 61 years, not only ended the drought for the gold but also gave Filipinos one of the most inspiring sports stories of the year.

At the start, the odds were unfavorable to the team which came from a disheartening finish in the FIBA World Cup in Manila, where the Filipino cagers lost all of their qualifying games and finished 24th out of the 32 country teams. Then, for the Asiad, the newly-appointed coach Tim Cone had to hastily form a team and prepare them for battle in the hard court with only 12 days lead time.

After bowing to Jordan in the preliminary game, the team faced an uphill campaign and needed four consecutive wins to clinch the championship.

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Gilas Pilipinas took on Jordan in the Asiad championship game and captured the gold, a first for the country in more than three decades.

With unwavering spirit and a winning streak, Gilas won and conquered the games against Qatar, Iran, and defending champion and host China in the semifinals. 

With eyes focused on the prize, the determined and resilient Gilas took on Jordan in the championship game and scored 70-60, capturing the country’s gold from the Asiad, a first in over three decades. In the 1962 Asiad in Jakarta, Indonesia, the last Philippine title was delivered by the late Hall of Famer Caloy “The Big Difference” Loyzaga and the Philippine team after they conquered the Japan team.

The grand comeback of Gilas brought the Philippines into the big league of Asia’s best in basketball. With renewed optimism and pride, Filipino basketball fans look forward to a new era in the sport.

On January 29, the national team was feted the 2023 President’s Award at the San Miguel Corporation (SMC)-PSA Annual Awards Night.

Recently, Barangay Ginebra’s Cone was appointed as the permanent head coach of the national men’s basketball by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). 

Gilas Pilipinas is one of Manila Bulletin’s Newsmakers of the Year. The MB Newsmakers of the Year Awards is co-presented by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), GCash, SM Development Corporation, and The Medical City. This event is also supported by major partner SM Supermalls.

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