The Philippines has qualified for the World Cup. Sadly, for Philippine football fans, the Azkals qualifying for the FIFA World Cup and the image of Phil Younghusband leading out the Philippines to the football field seem like ages from happening. Happily though for Philippine basketball fans, Gilas Pilipinas qualifying for the FIBA World Cup of Basketball is very much a reality and is rightly a source of pride for all Filipinos. Gilas’ amazing exploits in home soil last August did not end at Jimmy Alapag and company getting the silver medal. It simply signalled the beginning of the Philippines return to the world basketball stage and the quest for glory. Azkals fans can only look on with envy, hoping that the Philippines can qualify for football’s equivalent competition in our lifetime. So, what should a proper Gilas fan do, now that the draw has been made? Make arrangements and book the tickets to Seville, Spain ASAP, of course! I know some Azkals fans would do the same, if the Philippines were to qualify even ‘just’ for the Asian Cup in Australia next year. Watching a World Cup of basketball, where 24 of the best teams in the world today will be competing for glory is a basketball fan’s proverbial wet dream. A big bonus would be seeing and visiting Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville among others and all its wonders. Throw in being able to support and cheer for the team of your birth? It would be a no brainer for those who have the means to go. Filipinos can avail of the Follow Your Team (FYT) ticketing option, and truly and finally be able to follow your team through the preliminary all the way to the final rounds. In this case, we can follow OUR team, Gilas Pilipinas. Take it from someone who has been to the football equivalent of the World Cup, and was being mistaken for a Japanese when Japan played in Nuremberg, or mistaken for a Korean when South Korea took the field in Port Elizabeth. In 2006, I cheered on Ronaldo and Ronaldinho for Team Brazil. Ditto in 2010 for Bastian Schweinsteiger for Team Germany. In both instances, I felt something lacking. I cheered with German friends when they triumphed magnificently over England and Argentina, but deep down I felt that the victory was theirs and not mine. The truth of the matter is, we can cheer with other nation’s victories and triumphs, but we can never really fully cheer for any other nation other than the country of our birth. In 2014, finally, all Filipinos can all cheer on coach Chot Reyes and company for Team Philippines. When we go to Seville, with the Philippine flag draped in our shoulders, we would never be mistaken for being anything other than Filipino. As those lucky enough to witness Gilas winning over South Korea live can attest to, there is never a prouder moment than cheering for your national team in the flesh. In all honesty, the cost of travelling to Europe will be a concern. Airfare, game tickets, food, and lodging may cost upwards Php 150,000, so it will not be cheap. The difficulty in progressing deep in the competition — Chot Reyes has admitted that a Top 16 finish would be “fantastic” — would be a deterrent, but it should not be. Whatever happens, Gilas is assured of playing five basketball games and with the right team performance, who knows? Hence, I repeat. For those with means to go, allow me plagiarize the slogan of a popular sports brand. Don’t overthink it. Pack your bags, file the vacation leaves, brush up on un poco Español and vamonos! Just do it and go. [admin dhey] https://facebook/BrgyLahingGinebra interaksyon/interaktv/rampaging-fullback-pack-your-bags-to-spain-support-gilas-pilipinas
Posted on: Thu, 06 Feb 2014 17:37:57 +0000
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