The Philippine national team that participated in the 1978 FIBA World Championship may have concluded the tournament without a victory, yet no one can dispute the immense effort the players poured into their quest for glory in front of their compatriots.
Comprised of players selected from various MICAA teams, the squad was captained by Alex Clariño. Offensive contributions were anticipated from Ramon Cruz, Leopoldo “Pol” Herrera, and Federico “Bokyo” Lauchengco from Frigidaire, alongside Steve Watson and Bernardo “Joy” Carpio from Crispa Shirt Factory.
Other team members included Greg Gozum and Nathaniel Castillo from YCO, Edward Merced from Frigidaire, Federico “Padim” Israel from Crispa, and ITM’s Cesar Yabut.
Clariño competed in the BIBLE tournament for Sunrice, while Cesar Teodoro played for Villar Records, a team engaged in the Interclub.
Marty Tierra of San Miguel and Rico Acuña, who represented Presto in the MICAA, served as alternates, under the guidance of head coach Nicanor Jorge, supported by assistant coach Nemie Villegas.
As hosts and defending champions, the Philippines and the Soviet Union were granted automatic berths in the quarterfinal round. They were joined by the national teams of Yugoslavia, Brazil, Italy, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Cruz, a standout in the amateur ranks, led all Philippine scorers with an average of 16.8 points per game. In their match against Canada, Cruz emerged as the top scorer with 33 points, though Canada secured a 99-88 win. In their opening game against eventual champions Yugoslavia, Cruz lit up the scoreboard with 31 points.
Watson followed with an average of 11.2 points per game. Watson’s teammate from Ateneo, Carpio, the youngest member of the team, also consistently reached double digits with 10.4 points per game. Carpio and Herrera, both standing at 6’3″, anchored the team as primary big men, contending against taller and more robust opponents.
Herrera contributed 7.6 points per game, slightly trailing Clariño’s 9.9. Other notable contributors included Yabut (6.4 points) and Castillo (6.0 points), the tallest player on the roster at 6’4″.
Unfortunately, Lauchengco, a key player, only participated in 4 games due to injury, scoring 6 points. His absence deprived the team of a scorer who could have bolstered Cruz’s scoring efforts.
The team confronted several challenges, including inadequate preparation—a recurring issue when national teams are formed. The governing body, Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), faced difficulties in assembling the team due to players’ commitments with their respective MICAA teams.
Despite these challenges, the determined group of young and promising basketball talents made local fans proud, particularly during their encounter with eventual champions, Yugoslavia. Although they suffered a 117-101 defeat, they demonstrated great resolve and earned the collective admiration of discerning Filipino basketball enthusiasts.
On the inaugural day of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on August 25, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President and Head of the Local Organizing Committee for the tournament, Alfredo S. Panlilio, personally invited the members of the 1978 battling World Championship RP Team to be present at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, to witness this year’s opening game featuring the National Team players, Gilas Pilipinas.
After 45 years since representing the nation in its previous hosting of the global tournament, Cruz, Israel, Watson, Herrera, Tierra, Acuña, and assistant coach Villegas are expected to grace the occasion.
