WITH a new head coach at the helm, the Philippine men’s basketball team is doing away with the “Gilas Pilipinas” tag for the upcoming 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier and will instead be known as “Team Philippines.”
Asi Taulava, the oldest player in the 16-man pool, said they wanted to do away with the tag since this group of players was different from the one handled by head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes.
“First of all, I wanna correct that. This is coach Yeng’s (Guiao) time. You know Gilas, that’s in the past. It’s time to change the image of Philippine basketball. Under coach Yeng’s time, we want to be known as Team Pilipinas,” Taulava said.
“We want to do way with those moniker names. Everybody that came into this group, it’s because coach Yeng asked,” he added. “We want to help him and do whatever we can do to qualify for the next round.”
Taulava also said the Filipino players this time are more determined and serious – something he last saw in 2002 under then coach Joseph Uichico.
“[Above] everything else, we want to play for coach Yeng. As you can see, complete attendance again. Last time I saw something like this was back in 2002, when all the players that were asked for were here,” Taulava said.
“One man that can unite all the big bodies in the PBA – the Board, the SBP – that’s coach Yeng,” he added. “So remember, we are Team Philippines. Not Gilas Pilipinas or any other moniker.”
After suffering a 73-81 defeat at the hands of Iran on Thursday night in Tehran, the Philippines hopes to bounce back against Qatar on Monday in a closed-door game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
FINALLY, A WIN – IN CHINA
After losing in his previous title matches, Filipino boxer Adam Diu Abdulhamid finally nailed one after capturing the WBO Asia Pacific Youth welterweight belt on Thursday in China.
Abdulhamid, a standout of Sanman Boxing Promotions, nailed the regional championship after a stunning majority-decision victory over the erstwhile unbeaten Youli Dong of China.
The General Santos City native told Buzzer Beater on Friday that he is relieved to finally capture a boxing title after suffering struggles early in his boxing career.
“I have six losses in my record but that did not stop me from chasing my dream. I was waiting for the right time and it came right here in China,” Abdulhamid said.
“Dong is a good undefeated fighter but when the bell starts, records don’t matter, your determination does. I can’t believe I’m a champion now. I just want to thank Sanman Promotions for continuing their trust in me,” he added.
That stunning victory by Abdulhamid improved his boxing record to 13-6-0 win-loss-draw while Dong suffered his first-ever defeat after winning his first 12 matches.
“Adam (Abdulhamid) is the true meaning of a champion. He failed several times in the past but poured his heart out in China to capture the belt. He trained so hard for this fight and now his hard work paid off. The sweet thing is he won the belt in enemy’s turf,” said Sanman CEO JC Manangquil./PN
