The Tim Cone-led Gilas Pilipinas squad accpmplished some historic things in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. They ended a 61-year gold medal drought. Justin Brownlee went supernova in the semis to eliminate the host team. And they did it with a squad that had very short prep time. Put simply, the Philippine team’s Asiad campaign is one for the books. And, nope, not even JB’s anti-doping case can take that fact away.
Despite all that, there’s still a lot to know about Gilas’ unforgettable stint in the quadrennial meet’s 19th edition. Fortunately for Filipino hoop fans, Gilas wing Chris Newsome decided to make a vlog out of it. On Sunday, the Meralco Bolts star uploaded on his YouTube channel, New11New, a short film documenting some of the national team’s best moments in Hangzhou.
In particular, he shared some never-before-seen footage of Gilas’ locker room celebration from the game against China and the team’s gold medal game versus Jordan.
Here are some interesting scenes after Gilas’ miraculous comeback semifinals win:
One, PBA commissioner and then Gilas deputy team manager Willie Marcial directed a celebratory yell at the camera while he was about to break out into some sort of dance move.
“Whoaaaaaaa,” Commissoner Willie shouted.
Second, members of the Gilas women’s team went to their male counterpart’s dugout to send their congratulations.
“Nice one, brothers,” Gilas women anchor Jack Animam said.
Third, the entire team poured water on Brownlee after his heroic performance while Scottie Thompson and Ange Kouame chanting a familiar refrain JB sure knows with all his heart.
“Ginebra! Ginebra!” the scrappy guard and the towering big man repeatedly yelled.
After vanquishing Jordan to win the gold medal, the Gilas boys had to let a few things out while celebrating in their locker.
“You know what, I’m on vacation and I got the gold medal (all of a sudden),” Cjay Perez quipped, unprompted.
Perhaps that's in reference to him cramming his way into Gilas’ training camp, coming off a vacation after his stint in the FIBA World Cup.
Kouame, meanwhile, found the perfect opportunity to show off his Tagalog.
“Gold medal talaga ‘yan,” Gilas’ naturalized center boasted.
Thirdly, Gilas veteran Japeth Aguilar made an important announcement.
“Last dance,” the Ginebra forward said.
Retiring from the national team on top? Well, that’s the way to do it.
Finally, and perhaps fittingly, Newsome anointed Brownlee as the best ever.
“The GOAT,” Newsome said while pointing at JB.
He’s not wrong.
(MDB)