At most and at least

When this comes out, the Asian Games would have already been underway and our athletes and their coaches would have already seen the results of their hard work in practice. Some triumphantly while others might already start looking at adjustments and tweaks suited for their current campaign.

The marquee match-up between Philippines and China in men’s basketball would have already been decided before this comes out, As I write, I hope we are successful in “at most” going toe to toe with this basketball powerhouse. Just like the women’s volleyball team who “at most” competed against Thailand in one set (25-22) before finally succumbing in the remaining sets (25-12, 25-15) to a better Thailand team.

Why “at most”? Even as we play with our hearts out to the max- “at most”, we also have the tendency to down shift to the minimum- “at least” when the challenge already seems insurmountable. We just give in and say, “Bawi tayo next game guys.” This mentality might not always be best given our competitive nature as Filipinos.

Individually, we’ve got the skills to compete in an international level. Against Kazakhstan, the 37-point blowout win was a showcase of our skills which fortunately the opponents cannot overcome. This however, cannot simply be the game plan all the time. We cannot always rely on our individual skills to defeat opposing teams. Games should also be played with the “at most” attitude. Teams cannot just barge into competition with the “minimum” mindset. There is no magic formula to winning games, just as Jordan Clarkson’s inclusion into the lineup is no guarantee for winning against China. Winning starts with attitude.

We have to keep on playing the full game, not just for one set, one round, one lap or one quarter. It has to be our skills and the execution of things done in practice in full display in the course of the competition and at the end, leave with no regrets, win or lose.

For us to succeed, we have to let go of, “Bawi tayo next game guys.”, mentality. Play with the “at most” attitude in sports and in life.

“We have to keep on playing the full game, not just for one set, one round, one lap or one quarter.”