The match that never was

It was right there for the taking. Another victory against Congo and Gilas Pilipinas would have faced Spain in the Torneo de Malaga. Forty separating our squad and an opportunity to tick a box on their bucket list.

Unfortunately, it was all a dream that remained as such. The Congolese forced Team Philippines to commit 18 turnovers in their 82-71 victory. The nine-men roster of Coach Yeng Guiao made one last push with about four minutes left in the match but to no avail. Gone is the perfect record and the chance to share the court with the second-best team in the world.

Philippines versus Spain would have been a glorified tune-up game that everyone following the sport would tune in to. Regardless of outcome, it’s a scrimmage that our players will cherish forever. Picture Ricky Rubio being hounded by Mark Barroca. Andray Blatche or Beau Belga trying to hold their fort against Marc Gasol. Robert Bolick and Rudy Fernandez engaging in a shoot-out. Gabe Norwood shadowing Sergio Llull.

But beyond the glitz of those who will be participating for both sides, a clash against the 2006 FIBA World Cup champions could have been the barometer to determine how we match up against the world’s best. That one game could have given us a glimpse of how much effort we still need to become a serious international contender. In a lighter sense, 40 minutes with some NBA players will give our representatives a lot of anecdotes for the grandchildren.

If it did push through, I could hear sports broadcasters hype up the colonizer story line to establish conflict. The narrative would then turn into “the oppressors are defeated” if Gilas Pilipinas prevailed or “Viva Espana!” if the three-time Eurobasket gold medalists scored the victory. However, we were left to celebrate our team’s second win against the Ivory Coast to cap their Spain training camp.

As our cagers make their way back to the Philippines, they will contemplate on the lessons and realizations acquired from those eight days. But through it all, the possibility of proving their mettle against players that they look up is a “what if” that will linger for a while.

Pictures do paint a thousand words and the Gilas players and coaches had their snapshots with some of La Roja’s members. But a higher sense of fulfillment is due if in-game photos were captured. That way, they are not merely fans. Rather, they are men who have elevated national pride by adding another storied chapter to the nation’s love story with basketball.

Photo taken from Poy Erram's Instagram account