For two consecutive games in the ongoing Jones Cup in Taiwan, Team Pilipinas looked very far from what they are perceived to be in terms of performance. I already mentioned this tournament is not the main goal of the heavily funded national quintet. Their main task is to earn a spot in the 2008 Olympics where they will, hopefully, have the chance to meet the best of basketball.
In order to that, RP-San Miguel National team must earn at least the runner up in the 2007 FIBA-ASIA which is by the way not an easy task. The team that Chot Reyes has been grooming to accomplish that dream will have to battle against China, Iran and Jordan in the elimination round. They must illustrate from themselves a dominant and winning team.
Apparently, our national team has lost two consecutive games right after a promising and good start. They defeated the defending American champions in their first outing but lost to Lebanon on Tuesday and bowed out again versus the Japanese national yesterday. The two losses both came from heart-breaking last second shots.
In their game against the Lebanese, the score was tied at 62 all with three seconds left in the game clock. A couple of passes between the opponents and into the hands of Rony Fahed who delivered a three pointer right before the time expires. The ball banked into the board and off inside the ring putting Lebanon on top, 65-62.
Japan made a similar dagger and pierced it into the hearts of hopeful Filipinos. The ball was intercepted from Dondon Hontiveros and resulted to a fastbreak pass to Yusuke Okada who made the final layup that sealed the game for the Japanese. One second remained in the clock but RP team failed to convert in the end. They led by as much as 12 points but they appeared powerless in the closing minutes and settled for an 86-84 score.
These two losses could determine how much determination and will does the team are composed of. Will they simply work their bodies out for the rest of the tournament for the simple fact that they are part of a national team made to prove the odds wrong? Or will they show us the core they are made of, bring the country the goods they are supposed to bring home after their work outs and practices in and out of the country?
Next week we'€™ll find out when they bag the Jones Cup trophy. And we will cheer them all the way. Nonetheless, the loss to Lebanon and Japan remains a bad sign for a case of a bad dream coming true.
