Proud of loss to China, PHL team focuses on South Korea right away
JAKARTA — The Rain or ShinePilipinas team put up a gallant stand against mighty China on Tuesday night and despite falling short of its performance, the team earned admiration from Filipinos from different parts of the globe.
“I don’t consider it as a loss. I consider it a victory for the Filipino people. I couldn’t ask anything more from the players who are put together for two weeks and came out bravely to face probably the most dominant team in the Asian Games,” head coach Yeng Guiao told BusinessWorld.
Right after the team’s impressive performance against China, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas officials headed by chief benefactor Manuel V. Pangilinan, visited the members of the squad.
SBP Al Panlilio, whose group has been on a roller-coaster ride prior to departing for the Asiad, couldn’t help but feel proud of what the team has achieved.
“I am so proud of where we are now, especially after the journey we went through — from no team, to withdrawal from Asian Games, back again, then with Jordan Clarkson. Again, circumstances had to happen this way and brought us to where we are today,” wrote Panlilio in a text message.
Prior to joining the competition, the squad was even branded as “a token team” and the quintet is now turning doubters to believers.
“From a token team to a potential medal team. All these with keeping the values and principles we believe in the SBP,” added Panlilio.
The Philippine team took a break on Wednesday as the Filipino community in Jakarta, most of them avid basketball fans, hosted lunch to all the members.
But Guiao and his troops will return to work the next day as they prepare against Korea in a must-win quarterfinal showdown. —