By REY C. LACHICA
HANGZHOU, China – History beckons for Gilas Pilipinas in the 19th Asian Games here, two days after rocking the Great Wall of China before millions of unbelievers.
After scoring a mind-boggling 77-76 win over host China, coach Tim Cone and his gallant men try to etch their names in the golden scroll of Asian Games champions when they go for the precious metal against Jordan on Friday, Oct. 6, at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center.
For sure, it’s going be as dramatic as it is intense when they clash again at 8 p.m. at the Hangzhou Olympic Stadium.
Since it is going to be a grudge rematch, expect more color and sub-plot stories to emerge – one is the rivalry between Justin Brownlee and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the naturalized player of Jordan.
The revenge factor will also come into play after the Jordanians beat Gilas black and blue the first time they clashed in the elims, 87-62.
“We said that from the beginning. I’m not sure we believe we’d get here, but we did say that from the beginning. We also kept saying we want to get back and play Jordan, so we’re back to play them. Now we’ll see what we can do on Saturday.”
Though Cone has already accomplished half of his mission here, he is still expected to bring all his aces out for this very important match.
“This is special,” said Cone. “Twenty-five years ago, China beat me. And, I tell you, to this day that’s the only game where I cried. To come back here and get this victory now is to come full cycle. It’s an emotional time for us and, I think, for everybody.”
He did cry after their win over China, but that was for sheer ecstacy.
But perhaps the most important factor for Team PH now is the desire of the nation to win the first ever basketball gold since 1962.
Cone was only five years old then when the great Caloy Loyzaga led the Nationals to the team gold during the Jakarta Games.
“But I’m trying to keep an even keel because we got another game, and our goal still is to win the gold.:
Since all of the players were not yet born when that PH team triumphed, they vowed to bring their A-game in order to be a part of history.
For many basketball fans, 61 years seem to be an eternity.
Cone also had some bitter memories to bury here.
He was the coach of the PH Centennial Team that lost to China in the semis during the 1998 Hiroshima Games and eventually settled for bronze.
Jordan gained its first finals appearance in the Games by downing Chinese-Taipei in the other semis.
The 4 p.m. showdown between China and Taiwan is also a game to watch, especially for the home fans who ended up heartbroken after their team’s defeat to Gilas.
Like Gilas, Jordan is also motivated to complete its amazing run. It’s best finish in the continental showpiece was fourth twice – the last time time in 1986 where is lost to an all-amateur PH team coached by Joe Lipa in the battle for bronze.
That’s also another reason RHJ and company are raring to beat Gilas two-in-a row.
But don’t tell that to Justin Browlee.
After his awe-inspiring performance, Brownlee is expected to deliver another virtuoso performance tha is very apr for this game.
In finishing with 33 points, Brownlee was spectacular in the final minute of the game after he buried one unbelievable 3-point shot after another to finally flatten tall Chinese squad.
