JAKARTA – The Philippine men’s basketball team on Saturday was able to hold a lengthy practice session thanks to the help of the Filipino community here.
After getting to train together only under an hour at the official Asiad training gym, the Nationals got to practice two hours at the Sekolah Pelita Harapan Kemang Village in South Jakarta.
Head coach Yeng Guiao got what he wanted as he has been eyeing an extra practice session long enough so that NBA cager Jordan Clarkson can get used to the system the Philippines is implementing.
“Nahalata niyo ngayon, hindi tayo nagmamadali. Relax ‘yung atmosphere, hindi katulad ‘yung 50 minutes lang ‘yung practice natin, nagmamadali talaga,” said Guiao.
Helping make the practice session possible were Vince Chacon and Karl Ryan Osia, teachers who have been here in the Indonesia capital for more than a decade.
“Kasi sinusundan namin ‘yung progress nila,” said Chacon, a teacher at Mentari Intercultural School Jakarta. “Nalaman namin na medyo scarce ‘yung venues. Football kasi dito eh. Nagkabiruan lang kami nung kasama ko si Karl. Inoffer ‘yung school gym tapos sige let’s reach out to the team.”
Sekolah Pelita Harapan Kemang Village is where Osia works.
“Nung nalaman namin na kailangan ng Gilas, inoffer ko (gym) and then nung sinabi ung anong eksaktong oras na kailangan nila, kinausap ko ‘yung athletic director kung available ‘yung gym. Nagkasundo kami,” said Osia, who is from Romblon.
Chacon said: “Pagka-reach out namin, tumawag si sir Butch (Antonio). ‘Yun na ‘yun. The rest is history.”
Guiao said it was a big help as the team prepares for the game against China on Tuesday.
“You can’t get the usual repetition and attention to detail that you want,” said Guiao, referring to the 50-minute practice sessions organizers have set up.
“Kung one and a half tayo, actually two hours na tayo, walang nagpapaalis sa atin, kaya malaking pasalamat ko sa mga Pilipino dito sa Indonesia.”
“’Yung Filipino community, mahilig din sila sa basketball. I think they are also preparing a lunch or dinner for the whole team para makasama ‘yung Filipino community. We are looking forward to it dahil sa sobrang binigay nila na convenience para makapag-ensayo kami. Ang mga Pinoy na nandito sa Indonesia, hindi nakakalimot sa mga kapwa nila Pinoy,” said Guiao.
Just like other Filipino communities outside the Philippines, Chacon said they also use basketball as a way to interact with fellow OFWs.
“Dito ang basketbal, more on a way para magkamustahan. Whenever the guys can get together, laro lang, parang sa atin,” said Charcon, from Antipolo.
Vince Chacon (right) and Karl Osia (second, left) help out as the Gilastopainters prepare for their second game.
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