Wael Arakji has earned both the praise and the ire of Filipino fans after his stupendous performance against the Philippines and his post-game quotes that came afterward.
During Lebanon’s first meeting against Gilas in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the 6-foot-4 guard absolutely scintillated, dropping 24 points — including the go-ahead and dagger baskets — to lift his side to an 85-81 win against the Jordan Clarkson-led squad.
There are two things that inspired Arakji and the Cedars for that game.
First was of course the opportunity of beating a team that has a current NBA star.
Had a nice chat with Lebanon’s superstar Wael Arakji and he was sending his love to the Filipino fans. He has much respect for us. Will share some parts of our conversation through @tiebreakertimes pic.twitter.com/vA8eKVyf5L
— Charles Tiu (@charlestiu) September 10, 2022
“We only prepared for two weeks, to be honest. We didn’t have the longest preparation but as I said the players know each other a lot and we’ve played together for a very long time since youth,” Arakji told Mighty Sports and College of Saint Benilde head coach Charles Tiu.
“Jordan Clarkson is an inspiration to all of us, I’m not gonna lie that we were all so excited when we heard he was coming to Lebanon,” he gushed. “We really wanted to battle with him and with all other players.
“We have a lot of respect for the Philippines and all their players and bringing an NBA player to that game made it even better.”
More importantly, though, they want to help in inspiring their recovering nation.
Changing the Culture
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Though feared in Asia nowadays despite their current world no. 54 ranking, Lebanon’s basketball program stagnated prior to the arrival of Arakji and the golden batch of Cedars.
It took a revitalized youth program to kickstart the process.
“At some point, Lebanon was a middle-tiered team in Asia, experiencing a lot of tough losses and lack of preparation,” he recalled as, after two back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Asia Cup in 2005 and 2007, the program went on a decline while the federation would be suspended in 2013.
“I believe this year the team was built differently since most players have played together previously in under-18 and under-16 national teams and we are all close in age yet hungry to play for our national team and bring back glory days for Lebanon, especially with all the crisis we are going through as a country.”
The 2015 and 2017 Asia Cups also bore the same result for Lebanon.
Then the ongoing October 17 Revolution began in 2019.
Since the crisis, Arakji moved around the Middle East, playing for Qatar’s Al-Shamal, Tunisia’s US Monastir, and Kuwait’s Al-Jahra.
It was only early this year when Arakji went back home.
“Ever since the revolution started in Lebanon, I left the country, been away for four years,” he confided.
“I only came last year for a short period and played with a team called Beirut where we won both the cup and the championship.”
Definitely, Arakji and his crew had a chip on their shoulders every time they wear Lebanon’s red and white.
In the Asia Cup Qualifiers, they went 6-0 to top Group D. Then in the event proper, the Cedars finished second in the continent, only bowing to the mighty Boomers.
Meanwhile, Lebanon is currently 5-1 in the World Cup Qualifiers with their sole loss coming at the hands of rival Jordan back in February of 2022.
Opening the Quota System
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One of the key points raised by Arakji during his post-game interview after their big win over Gilas was how “eastern leagues” should open up their Asian Quota system to them.
“I believe every country in Asia should have two Asian spots for the whole continent so players in Lebanon and in Jordan and in Syria can have the chance to go and play in Korea, in Australia, the same way that the Far East are having their own rule where Asian players are allowed to play in Australia, in Korea, in Japan as Asian, I believe Lebanese and other nationalities should be allowed to do that.”
One of the 28-year-old’s wishes is that the Philippine Basketball Association re-opens its Asian import system so that he can play in Asia’s first pay-for-play league like Rodrigue Akl did six years ago.
“I wish they would man, I would really love to play in the Philippines.
“I’ll actually come immediately. I am not joking when I say that I am in love with the Philippines fans and their passion for basketball,” he said.
But for now, he can’t wait to play in the Philippines come the final window of the Qualifiers in February.
“Lebanese fans are very close to the Philippines fans as their love for basketball is so big. So the atmosphere was great and buzzing and I’m sure it will be the same in Manila.”
