#SEAGames2019: For Gilas Men, 3x3 Gold proof of their total commitment

The men behind the Philippines' golden success in the 3x3 basketball tournament at the Southeast Asian Games stressed that passion and commitment were the key to their glorious SEA Games victory.

That's what coach Ronnie Magsanoc and players CJ Perez and Moala Tautuaa were saying right after sweeping the entire tournament in record time, reaching the 21 points before their opponents.

"Extremely grateful to have been given the chance to coach this four gallant men in representing the country," he said last Monday in San Juan, while adding more praises to their female counterparts after winning the gold earlier in the day. "It makes me doubly grateful dahil part of history yung men’s and women’s team."

For the Point Laureate, their road to the games had been filled with obstacles, as injuries and the complicated schedule in the PBA made it much harder to build chemistry. 

With the quarterfinals of the Governors' Cup only ending last November 26, they only have five whole days to train as a unit before their games began on December 1.

"I tip my hat to those four players who made things happen," Magsanoc added, with Jason Perkins and Chris Newsome completed the quartet. "Wala akong masabi sa commitment nila. It’s the Filipino passion that they showed. They played more than expected."

The gold medal win was a redemption story for Perez, who was part of the senior squad that finished dead last in the FIBA World Cup in China.

"Ang saya," said the Columbian swingman, who put on a show against Indonesia by throwing down the exclamation point in their gold medal game.

He just reciprocated his trust with Magsanoc, who left no stone unturned to prepare them. "Siyempre di nagkulang si Coach Ronnie na iprepare kami. Kaya yung kumpyansa namin sobrang taas."

And for Tautuaa, the gold medal was their goal right from the start, but even for a big man who bullies his opposition from inside and outside the paint, he was just as speechless as every athlete would.

"Feels good man. It’s not everyday you play for a medal. And it’s not everyday that you win that. You can’t put words to it."

For him, even as a host, they know they have to prepare for every game that they played in, just like what they did in the PBA.
"We knew it’s gonna be tough. So we have to bring our A-Game every game."