BANGKOK – Robert Bolick went ‘Night Night’ from the time he converted the last free throw of the game until the final buzzer to end the 33rd Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball tournament with Gilas Pilipinas winning gold.
READ: Malonzo comes up big as Gilas denies Thailand, retains SEAG gold
Wild celebrations ensued for Gilas at the Nimibutr Stadium in what looked like a release of pent-up emotions from the not-so-ideal preparations due to revisions to the roster that initially had the likes of Justin Brownlee and Remy Martin, only to be thumbed down by organizers.
Very much self-aware, they also refer to themselves as ‘Team C’ of Gilas, according to Bolick himself, with all the problems they encountered before going to Bangkok.
“Lahat tayo nakahanda kay Remy Martin, Justin Brownlee, ibang nasa lineup pa, ‘yung gustong panoorin ng mga kababayan natin. Kahit ako, gusto kong makita kung paano maglaro si [Mike] Phillips dito, bigyan ng opportunity mag-represent sa country natin. Wala eh, hindi pinayagan, daming nangyari, practice namin, limang practice lang,” Bolick said.
“Pero akala nila (kung) kami lang, madali dali lang. Hindi,” he added.
Philippines proves them wrong
Bolick said the Philippines' 'Team C' had a chip on their shoulder coming to the regional meet, also armed with full faith they can win men’s basketball in a hostile environment.
“May goal kami pumunta dito na mag-champion, bawian lahat ng pinaghirapan nila coach Norman [Black], SBP natin, POC natin, nahihirapan sila sa mga changes sa lineup. Siyempre akala nila, kami-kami, ano lang. Hindi. Pumunta kami dito with a mindset na mananalo kami. Hindi man kami maraming practice o ano, team kami. Masarap tignan ‘yung pagsasamahan namin sa konting oras, binigay pa rin namin ‘yung best namin. Sarap sa feeling,” Bolick said.
“[Sumisigaw kami] 'Team C.' Kumbaga, ‘yung main Gilas natin nagpapahinga. ‘Yung nasa lineup dapat natin dito, hindi rin. Kami ‘yung napagayan. Akala nila madali. May mga interview na sila na talaga. Hindi.”
Thailand still had the lead at the half at 38-29, but Bolick said there was still no doubt that they will be able to pull it off with their united goal.
“Ibang klase ‘yung mga tao sa dugout. One in mind. Samahan lang. Lagi kami slow start, pero ‘yung mga fans, coach Norman, coaching staff, tulungan lang, kung ano ‘yung depensa, kung sino man ‘yung tumira, kung pangit laro ng isa, kami lahat walang sisihan. Wala ‘yun," said Bolick.
Sarap sa feeling ng ganun. Kahit konti ang Pilipino dito, mas malakas pa rin boses nila.”
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