By: Rom Anzures
BOCAUE — Jordan Heading’s return to Gilas Pilipinas was more than just a basketball game. It was a moment of pure joy for the Fil-Australian guard, who last played for the national team during the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
With his smooth shooting and quick moves, Heading helped his team secure a 107-96 victory against Lebanon at the Philippine Arena here on Friday. He finished with 10 points built on two treys with two assists and two boards.
And Heading admitted that he was relishing every bit of moment from the game as this was his first time playing in front of a home crowd.
“It was just really fun being out there with the guys,” said Heading, who plays for Nagasaki.
“It was just really fun being out there with the guys. This night was incredible for me. My earlier Gilas days were in the bubble, so I wasn’t able to experience the Gilas crowd. It’s everything I’ve dreamed of. It’s just so amazing to play in this atmosphere, to play in the Philippine Arena.”
For Heading, being back on the Gilas roster was an honor and a privilege. After leaving the Philippines in 2021 to play in Taiwan and eventually in Japan, he saw his name back on the roster this year.
“It’s amazing to be back here,” he said.
“I always have the time of my life with Gilas. The love and support of the country and also just the brotherhood of the guys, it’s really fun to be a part of.”
Heading’s return to the team was timely, as the Philippines was missing one of their consistent scorers, Roger Pogoy. But with players like Heading constantly getting into the system, the team has been able to build a program that can weather any storm.
“That’s how we’re trying to build a program, constantly getting players into the system so when somebody goes down, we just go through the depth chart,” explained Gilas coach Chot Reyes.
And Heading’s contributions were crucial in securing the win against Lebanon, as the team looks ahead to their final game in the sixth leg of the World Cup Qualifiers, where they will face Jordan on Monday.
Despite the assurance of a slot in the World Cup in August, the team knows how important it is to finish strong.
“This is a special team. It’s something that means so much to us, it’s something that means so much to the country,” said the 27-year-old sniper.
And with his renewed commitment to the team, there’s no telling how deep Gilas will be come the World Cup.
