Olympic dream continues to burn for Gilas Pilipinas
WHILE they recognize that the road to the Olympics will be long and bumpy, still proponents of the country’s national basketball program remain undeterred and are determined more than ever to see their dream through.
In ceremonies held Monday night to welcome their newest partner — Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI), the company behind the chain of Chooks-To- Go roasters — the Samahang Basketbol sa Pilipinas, Inc. and the MVP Group reiterated that their Olympic dream for Philippine basketball is still burning nine years since they decided to embark on such a journey.
“We don’t know if we’re going to make the Olympics, but that is our burning dream to bring the Philippines back to Olympic competition after more than 40 years. That is the dream of every member of the team,” said returning national team coach Chot Reyes during the announcement of the partnership between Gilas Pilipinas and BAVI at the Shangri-La Makati.
“Our battle cry in Gilas has always been ‘ We fight till we cannot fight anymore for our country with all our hearts.’ We give our all and very best each time and we intend to keep it that way,” Mr. Reyes said.
As for his reason to return to coach the national team, Mr. Reyes, who guided Gilas to a silver medal finish in the FIBA Asia Championship in 2013 and a stint in the FIBA World Cup in Spain the following year, said it is his way of serving the country and giving back to the sport that opened many opportunities for him. “I am retired from coaching in the pros, but I will never retire from serving our country,” the former Philippine Basketball Association coach underscored.
COMMITTED
For members of the Gilas cadet, the significance of playing for the country and the mission that they have are not lost to them and that they very committed to do their share.
“From the start we have been inspired as members of Gilas. The fact that you play for the country is honor enough. We completely submit to the program and are going to do what is asked of us as players,” guard Mike Tolomia, who currently plays as a rookie for the Rain or Shine Elastopainters in the PBA, said in an interview with BusinessWorld on the sidelines of the event which was also used to honor sports patron Manuel V. Pangilinan.
He was seconded by fellow Gilas cadet member and PBA freshman Mac Belo of Blackwater Elite, saying, “It’s a great opportunity to represent the country and we will give our all for the Philippines.”
Other Gilas cadets present during the partnership announcement were Almond Vosotros, Jonathan Grey, Ed Daquioag, Matthew Wright, Von Pessumal, Alfonso Gotladera, Kevin Ferrer, Jio Jalalon, Roger Pogoy and Carl Bryan Cruz.
Present, too, were veteran Gilas members Gabe Norwood, Ranidel De Ocampo, Terrence Romeo, Sonny Thoss, JC Intal and Dondon Hontiveros.
First stop for Gilas is the 2017 SEABA Championship where a spot in the FIBA Asia hinges.