Rhenz Abando hopes that Gilas Pilipinas’ breakthrough win over China in the classification phase will alleviate the pain that the entire country has experienced following the Philippines’ dismal campaign in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Abando was the second-best performer for Gilas in the 96-75 victory over the Dragons, contributing 14 points, five rebounds, a steal, and a block on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Dapat masaya pa rin sila at dapat proud pa rin sila. Sana kahit papaano, naibsan namin ‘yung galit ng iba na nakakuha rin kami ng isang panalo,” said Abando, just moments after the victory that ended the Philippines’ nine-game losing streak in the world tilt.
Despite his top-notch performance, Abando downplayed his contributions, believing that he could have done more for the team.
“Ang dami kong lapses, kitang kita niyo naman yung mga decision making ko, yung mga turnover, buti na lang nababawi ko ng basket yung mga turnovers ko. Pero kung papanoorin niyo ‘yung mga coaches, yung mga nanonood, sobrang sama nung ginagawa ko,” said Abando.
The Anyang KGC guard had mixed emotions about the team’s win, lamenting their past four losses – all of which they could have won – against the Dominican Republic, Angola, Italy, and South Sudan, respectively.
Gilas lost their opening game against the Los Quisqueyanos by just six points, 87-61, before making last-ditch attempts to secure wins in their next three matches.
“Sobrang saya pero sana ganito rin ‘yung mga nilaro namin nung mga naunang games. So sayang pa rin,” said the one-time NCAA champion out of Letran.
Abando – who was one of the crowd favorites during Gilas’ World Cup stint along with Dwight Ramos and Jordan Clarkson – thanked the fans for the love they showered on him throughout his first-ever appearance on the world stage.
“Sobrang saya kasi crowd favorite. Wala akong masabi, sobrang flattered ako kasi lagi silang nakasuporta, pangit man o maganda ‘yung ginagawa ko.”
