Exactly nine years ago to this day, Gilas Pilipinas scored the country’s first FIBA World Cup win after four decades. It came a little too late, sure, but it was a victory nonetheless, and it was the perfect capper to a tournament where Jimmy Alapag, Andray Blatche, and the rest of Gilas took Croatia to overtime, pushed Argentina to the hilt, and tested Puerto Rico until the very end.
So, yes, its 81-79 victory over Senegal in the two teams’ final group phase game was still sweet, especially as it went down the wire—par the course of that iteration of Gilas, who seemingly had this knack of being in cardiac ball games.
Being a historic game, the One Sports staff decided to take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about that memorable encounter in Spain.
Jan Ballesteros
I was a rookie sportswriter back in 2014. While I was not covering the FIBA World Cup in Spain then, I put down my reporter’s hat and cheered for Gilas Pilipinas with the rest of my friends in the office.
I remember crying a bit because Gilas played an all-Filipino lineup down the stretch to nail the historic victory in Seville.
I thought it was the start of something great for the program but it still had some ups and downs—mostly downs—on the way to the 2023 edition.
Kiko Demigillo
I remember I was still getting ready for an exam, but I just had to put down everything when I saw Gilas playing versus Senegal. I was hopeful that the team would finally grab its first win in the tournament after several heartbreaks. Thankfully it did happen.
I remember Andray Blatche fouling out that game, and let's just say I became a huge June Mar Fajardo fan right after. (Note: Fajardo played his best game that tournament versus Senegal, chipping in 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.)
Katrina Alba
I was praying, “Maka-isa lang!” All of those games against Croatia, Greece, Argentina, and Puerto Rico were close, we could fight.
Isa lang. Maka-isa lang.
The details are now a blur to me, but I remember working on the report with Chiqui Roa-Puno, who was in Spain. We were airing that night after the game, so I had to hang on to everything.
I could hardly process my emotions as we were too busy making sure the report made it on air.
When it finally sank in, oh my god, we won. The Philippines won a game in the World Cup!
From a history-making win in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship to a victory in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, it was unreal. It was a milestone from what Rajko Toroman started, and it was only the start of bigger things for Gilas.
Gab Mallari
The fourth of September in 2014 was a Thursday, which means I was just lounging at home back then. Covering news and sports means working on weekends, but this weekday had Gilas on the day's schedule. While the game wasn't exactly my beat, I was glued to the game as a Filipino fan—not as a writer—hoping for a breakthrough.
It helped that the Philippines is just six hours ahead of Spain, which allowed Filipinos to catch the game. When that final buzzer sounded, it was as if we didn't lose four games prior. We were all raising our arms, fists clenched, just like Captain Jimmy [Alapag]. We made it.
Chester Fajardo
It was my third year in college when Gilas Pilipinas made history, beating Senegal in overtime for its first FIBA World Cup victory in 40 years. I remember watching the game in an old box-type television at a friend's house in Quezon City because I had no TV in my dorm. Online streaming wasn't a thing yet then.
From time-to-time, the signal would become unstable. I was as tense with the signal situation as I was with the game itself because I was watching not just as a fan, but also as a student with a school requirement—to "run" a "news website," with I as the designated sports writer. I wrote articles for the FIBA World Cup games, and my piece for that Gilas win is out there somewhere.
Raul Maningat
I was at the office in my previous job, working extra hours not for the overtime pay, but more so to catch the Gilas-Senegal game. That was way better than getting stuck in traffic, I thought. It was one of the very few times when my hunch turned out correct.
Going home late was well worth it. Seeing Jimmy Alapag nail those clutch free throws and June Mar Fajardo with his breakout game was awesome. I remember vividly Gilas coach Chot Reyes getting all emotional, shouting “Puso!” as he was pounding his chest.
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Yes, most of us have our own “where was I, what was I doing” recollection of that fateful night in Seville when Gilas made history.
And yours truly was of being at home watching while in bed because of an ACL injury. Normally, I’d be standing close to the TV cheering and shouting like a mad man, but this time, I was seated the whole game, even as LA Tenorio missed what would’ve been a game-winning floater. I could only sit, too, as Alapag went full Captain Jimmy mode and delivered in the clutch.
Oh, to finally win a game in the world stage!
So, how about you? Where were you when Gilas notched emotional win over Senegal in 2014 FIBA World Cup?
(GM)