FIBA HONORS PHILIPPINE BASKETBALL FANS AS THE BEST
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 15 Sep 2014
The incredible support of Filipino basketball fans during the last FIBA Asia Championships in eleven memorable days in August last year at the Mall of Asia Arena and the unbridled support during a series of tune-up games in France and Spain and the Group games in the FIBA World Cup in Seville have won recognition by FIBA, the international governing body for basketball.
The MVF ?Best Country Award? at the 2014 FIBA World Cup went to the Philippines which was cited as the ?Most Valuable Fan? Best Country Award.
The honor complements the glowing tributes to the Gilas Pilipinas team which battled some of the best teams in the world, losing heartbreakers to Croatia, Argentina and Greece and beating Senegal in overtime in the group stages of the tournament.
In a pre-World Cup tune-up game Gilas Pilipinas pushed European champions France who won the bronze medal in Spain, to the limit.
In their opening game which they lost to Croatia in overtime 81-78 which was decided by an inexplicable flopping call against Jason Castro in the dying seconds which gave Krunoslav Simon two free throws and the Croatians ball possession which enabled Damir Markota to nail a triple that gave them a 57-49 lead and when Castro was fouled at the sideline when attempting a desperate three-point shot in overtime and no foul was called, it ended a glorious effort by the Filipinos.
The loss to Croatia was followed by an 85-81 loss to Argentina who were ranked third in the world in a game where a questionable travelling call against Blatche in the closing minutes and the cramps of Ranidel de Ocampo promoted coach Chot Reyes to remark, ?they don?t respect us. We deserve better.?
But the Filipino fans did and came out in the hundreds waving flags and banners and cheering the team on in a must-win game against Puerto Rico which appeared to be going the way of the Philippines before NBA point guard JJ Barea of the Minnesota Timberwolves took over to finish with 30 points and end the Gilas Pilipinas quest of a place in the seond round, winning 77-73.
Gilas Pilipinas scored its first win in the international arena with an 81-79 overtime victory over favored Senegal despite the fact that naturalized NBA player Andre Blatche fouled out with some two minutes to go before PBA MVP Junmar Fajardo played the game of his life alongside skipper Jimmy Alapag to give Filipino fans who never wavered in their support of the team, something to cheer about.
Passionate basketball writer Rafe Bartholomew, editor for an American sports website Grantland believes that ?the Philippines will remembver this tournament with enormous pride. And moments like Jimmy Alapag?s unconscious heat-check run of five pull-up 3 pointers in the second half against Argentinam or 6?5? March Pingris bodying up with 7-foot, 270 pound Greek center Ioannis Bourosis in the low post and poking the ball away from him for a steal, or Blatche pounding his chest after giving the team a late lead against Croatia will make up the latest chapter in the Philippines? never-ending romance with basketball.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 November 2025: Mayer Outpoints Spencer to Unify 154 Belts; Buatsi's Controversial Win Over Parker; Pero Outpoints Thompson; Thrilla in Manila at 50 Results
By Eric Armit, Tue, 04 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 1)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 04 Nov 2025MATCHROOM BOXING ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ‘LIVE FROM GHANA’ EVENT FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 AS CRAIG RICHARDS AND DAN AZEEZ COLLIDE IN ACCRA – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
Tue, 04 Nov 2025Bryce Mills Defeats James Bernadin By Unanimous Decision
Mon, 03 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Wembanyama Struggles as Suns Give Spurs First Loss 130-118
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Oklahoma City Thunder the only undefeated NBA Team
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 03 Nov 2025RP Blu Boys Close Out Strong with Unbeaten Record in Japan Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Pero Outlasts Thompson in Orlando, Secures Unanimous Decision Victory
Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay Crowned Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Champion
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay reaches Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 02 Nov 2025Pistons defeated Mavericks in NBA Game 34 in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 02 Nov 2025GM Antonio finishes 14th in World Senior Standard event
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 02 Nov 2025NONITO DONAIRE FIGHTS SEIYA TSUTSUMI FOR THE WBA BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 02 Nov 2025Luka Dončić Equals Wilt Chamberlain’s Historic Scoring Feat
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 02 Nov 2025THRILLA IN MANILA II RESULTS: JERUSALEM, TAPALES, MARCIAL LEAD WINNERS
By Eric Armit, Sun, 02 Nov 2025