Daunting task for Gilas, even with pros

After 14 years, the Philippines will again be hosting the Southeast Asian Games. And out of the record 56 sports disciplines athletes from 11 nations will battle in, 530 gold medals will emerge to be draped around the necks of the winners.

Of these whooping number, however, one medal rules them all in the hearts of Filipinos – the gold in men’s basketball.

It is a sport Filipinos have dominated for more than 20 years. For the most part, it is a tool for unity among Filipinos during difficult times and it has been transformed from just a pastime to being the nation’s passion, akin almost to religion.

In the SEA Games, Filipinos are “Kings of the Court,” having won 17 gold medals out of 19 since basketball was first introduced during the 1977 edition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

So is everything in men’s basketball down to a battle for the silver medal, considering the quality of players the Philippines is fielding in the SEAG?

And isn’t it a bit of an overkill to send PBA players to face regional opponents of amateur-level skills?

National coach Tim Cone doesn’t think so, in answer to the first question.

And the second query elicits a lengthy reply from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio.

“In the past, we have sent in a younger team to carry the fight for our flag and country in the basketball competitions of the SEA Games,” he said. “There were a variety of reasons that led to those decisions, including the availability of players.”

He added: “We wanted nothing else but to form the strongest lineup we could to give us the best shot at winning the gold while also aiming to entertain the Filipino basketball fans who we expect to come out in great numbers to support our squad.”

Gilas Pilipinas would need that hometown crowd.

The opposing teams, after all, are no longer pushovers.

Indonesia, for one, isn’t just in full swing with its preparation. They are likewise bringing in a naturalized import in American Lester Prosper, who played as an import for Columbian Dyip in the PBA.

A familiar hand who knows a thing or two about Filipino basketball will also be on the Indonesian bench – Serbian coach Rajko Toroman,

who oversaw the first Smart Gilas Pilipinas program from 2009 to 2011.

Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia are likewise expected to use naturalized players to improve their chances, especially against the Philippines, which ironically opted to go without one.

“We have a good mixture of players who are expected to give it their all for the country. Most of us, I think, have represented the Philippines in various international tournaments, so we know how important this is,” said point guard LA Tenorio.

“It a great feeling to play for flag and country, and it’s even more special because we’ll play in front of our kababayan so that’s added motivation. Expect us to go all out in every game.”