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    COLUMN: Avoidable mess for Asiad-bound Gilas?

    Underestimating the 'enemy'
    Sep 19, 2023
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    PHOTO: Jerome Ascano
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    NEW YORK — Even if it tried, it looks like Gilas Pilipinas just can't stay away from controversy.

    Early on Monday, multiple sources told me that the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee denied the request that forwards Calvin Abueva and Jason Perkins be added to our 12-man basketball roster.

    Gut punch.

    Another blow to an already exhausted, emotionally-battered fan base.

    This one, I'm afraid, may have been avoidable.

    In the wake of injuries to Jamie Malonzo and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, I sympathize with the haste and desperation of interim coach Tim Cone to replace the fallen stars.

    However, choosing two players who were not on the original list of 60 the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) submitted to the Asiad organizers was a terrible miscalculation.

    Gilas Pilipinas practice Tim Cone

    UNDERESTIMATING THE 'ENEMY'

    I'm told that Cone was somehow assured that the insertion of Abueva and Perkins posed no obstacles.

    Still, why trust your fate in the hands of an adversary, one that has a sharp axe to grind after our team beat them to a pulp, 96-75, during the Fiba World Cup 2023 this month.

    As he lobbied for Abueva and Perkins, Cone told reporters how important they were, saying "we really don't have that three, four guy and if we can get them, then that makes us more versatile."

    In this age of the Internet, you think the Chinese didn't hear that?

    They must have surmised that our team is "guard-heavy" as Cone described it and obviously lacking wing players. So why would the organizing committee bail us out?

    As he dealt with a grave manpower deficit, coach Tim could have opted for a low-key approach. Instead, he used the media megaphone to blare out our weakness.

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    And China, which could conveniently hide behind the excuse that their hands are tied and that they are beholden to the rules, quickly pounced.

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      OH MY, OH WHY

      To be clear, Cone never aspired for this temporary Gilas job. He was thrust into it and now inherits a mess he didn't deserve. He reminds me of Chot Reyes, a good guy in a bad spot.

      Story of our Gilas lives as fans, right?

      As Gilas attempts to process the Abueva-Perkins saga, I'm also hearing from several sources that Terrence Romeo and Mo Tautuaa could also be ruled out of the Gilas 12.

      If true, which I hope not to be the case, our basketball journey to the Asiad just went from dreamy to nightmarish in six seconds.

      Your momma was right.

      When it rains, it pours.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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      PHOTO: Jerome Ascano
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