Mark Barroca still remembers like it was yesterday, how painful it was for him and the original Gilas Pilipinas when they fell short of bringing the Philippines back to the Olympics.
Formed in 2009 with the 2012 Games in London as the goal, Barroca and his contemporaries had a chance to realize the country’s hopes through the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship in China.
Gilas only needed a win to advance to the gold medal match and gain a chance to book the lone Olympic spot in Asia. Unfortunately, those aspirations turned to dust after a shock defeat to Jordan, 61-75.
The Filipinos had even beaten the same Jordan team, 72-64, in the second round. Moreover, the Jordans had Tab Baldwin, who would coach Gilas years later.
“Sobra frustration namin nun kasi kaya namin pumunta sa Finals, pero natalo kami ng Jordan,” Barroca recalled. “Sobrang sakit sa’min kasi yung Jordan, nung time na yun, kayang-kaya namin eh.
“Tapos dun pa talaga kami natalo. Buong liga yung Jordan, ‘di nanalo sa’min yun. Sobrang galing talaga ni coach Tab nung time na yun na nakapag-adjust siya. Na-scout niya kami ng maayos,” he added.
Barroca also bitterly recounted how Gilas was already in a celebratory mood prior to the semis, when Jordan dislodged defending two-time champs Iran in the quarterfinals, 88-84.
“Parang nagce-celebrate na kami nun nung tinalo nila yung Iran – dapat Iran kalaban namin nun. So nung tinalo nila Iran, sobrang saya namin. Eh talo kami,” he said.
“Sobrang disappointed namin.”
It’s been over seven years since the pioneering Gilas batch suffered that particular heartbreak. Since then, the program has flourished, though of course it still has its fair share of highs and lows.
Among the original Gilas members still in the program, it was only Japeth Aguilar who atoned for that blown Olympic dream, as he played in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Meanwhile, Barroca has never donned the tri-colors since 2011, until he got called up back in January of this year as part of the talent pool for the World Cup Qualifiers’ sixth window.
The sixth window was a crucial one, since the Filipino dribblers could not afford to lose. If they did, their hopes of playing in the Worlds would shatter.
Thankfully, Gilas managed to sweep the window. Then with some help from the other teams, the Philippines has made it back to the World Cup for the second consecutive time.
Just last weekend, head coach Yeng Guiao revealed Gilas’ 12-man lineup for the global tilt. And Barroca is on the list.
The 33-year-old is elated for another chance to represent the country in such a prestigious event like the World Cup. And he’ll clearly cherish it for the rest of his life.
“Para sa’kin, masaya na ma-lineup ulit, na maka-represent sa bansa natin. Iba yung maglaro sa world-class eh. Memorable sa’kin ‘to hanggang sa pagtanda ko,” said the eight-year PBA veteran.
“Hindi (ko inasahan ito). Maraming players din kasi. Nabigyan lang talaga ng chance, na-bless na makasama dito. Pero ‘di ko naman inisip na makasama kaagad sa lineup.”
Coach Yeng Guiao has been vocal of Gilas’ goal in the global basketball tilt – to win two of its three games in the first round, where it will lock horns with Italy, Serbia, and Angola.
Racking up two wins is the primary goal. But beyond that is a spot in the 2020 Olympics, though it would be harder as the Philippines needs to finish as the best Asian team in the contest.
But despite the difficulty, Barroca hopes that he can still realize that dream that was once within reach.
“Sabi nga ni coach, kung manalo tayong dalawa – sa awa ng Diyos – at tayo yung maging number one sa Asia, direcho tayo qualify sa Olympics, ‘di ba? Hopefully maka-isa pa dun.”
