MANILA, Philippines – When Gilas Pilipinas suffered the country’s worst placing in the recent Asian Games, national team coach Chot Reyes was at the receiving end of harsh criticisms particularly from local basketball fans.
But PBA commentator Joaquin “Quinito” Henson explained that Reyes should not be blamed entirely over Gilas’ disappointing outing in the Asiad after a sensational appearance at the FIBA World Cup of Basketball.
For one, Reyes was forced to utilize a different set of players since prized naturalized player Andray Blatche was not eligible to play in Asiad.
“For us to say that ‘yung nangyari sa Asian Games, of course it's a big let down, but dapat we put it in perspective,” said Henson.
“‘Yung preparation natin sa Asian Games actually was the FIBA World Cup, e yung FIBA World Cup iba yung import natin eh. Ang ginamit natin there was Andray Blatche. Sinuman ang nagkamali to even presume that Andray was eligible sa Asian Games palagay ko ‘yun ang may konting pagkukulang.”
Henson also said that Blatche’s replacement was partly the reason for Gilas’ woeful performance in Asiad, where they lost crucial games against Qatar and South Korea.
He said that compared to Blatche, Marcus Douthit lacks courage especially in important games.
“He's is very nice guy, but I don't think he's a player -- I hate to say this -- who plays with a lot of heart,” the analyst said of Douthit.
Henson said that during the FIBA World Cup, he witnessed Blatche play in agony, going up against the big men of Argentina, Puerto Rico and Greece despite limping with a bad knee.
“The guy is playing hurt but he went out there to play with all his heart,” he said.
In contrast, Douthit missed the finals of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship against Iran due a bad leg.
“I was wondering, tinanong ko si Dr. Jorge Canlas 'May fracture ba yan?' He said 'Wala.' 'E bat ayaw lumaro?' Masakit daw. Hindi ba may pain killer? This is for the finals, were playing for the home country. He doesn't want to play because his leg was hurting?” said Henson.
He also cited the crucial match against Qatar, wherein Gilas lost and missed the trip to the quarterfinals.
Henson said there were claims that Douthit was not in the mood during that game because he was given limited minutes.
“Against Qatar dun sa Asian Games, this is inside information na, he didn't play well because he didn't like the way being yanked in and out of the court,” he said.
After the game, Douthit was berated in the dugout not by Reyes, but by team captain Jimmy Alapag.
“Minura siya ni Jimmy Alapag because he didn't play his best. Nagkaroon sila ng midnight meeting and the whole team was saying, 'Marcus, you didn't play 100 percent, that's a big game.'''
Henson said it was ironic that Reyes received the brunt of criticisms since his foreign counterparts at the FIBA Worlds were impressed by how he ran the team.
“Nakita ko yung admiration ng opposing basketball coaches sa ating coaching staff. Because nagugulat sila kung paano tayo - being the smallest team in the entire FIBA World Cup - is comparative against the world's No. 3 Argentina, the world’s No. 5 Greece. Nagugulat sila,” said Henson.
The foreign coaches said Gilas has been using revolutionary tactics they haven’t seen before and that they’re doing well against bigger guys in a big man's game.
“I think that's a very big tribute to our coaching staff,” said the analyst.
