Malaki rin ang naging ambag ng mga hindi nakasama para irepresenta ang Gilas Pilipinas sa Asean Games tungo sa landas para masungkit ang gintong medalya makaraan ang anim na dekadang pag-aasam.
Iyan ay ayon kay Justin Brownlee kung saan pinasalamatan niya pa rin ang ipinakitang suporta nina Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Mo Tautuaa, Jason Perkins at Roger Pogoy makaraang talunin ng Pilipinas ang Jordan sa final para sa first men’s basketball crown nito magmula noong 1962.
“Even the guys who got changed, who could not participate, wanna thank those guys because they were huge for us getting us prepared,” ayon kay Brownlee matapos ang 70-60 victory noong Biyernes, October 6.
Sina Abueva, Romeo, Tautuaa at Perkens ay bahagi ng original 12-man roster ni head coach Tim Cone, pero hindi sila pinayagan ng Games’ organizing committee na makasama dahil wala sila sa list of pool players.
Samantala, umataras naman si Pogoy – na pasok din sa FIBA World Cup lineup – dahil sa ‘seryosong’ health condition nito.
Pero kahit wala sila roon ay hindi naman tumigil ang mga ito para magpakita ng suporta.
“Want to shout those guys out because they were supposed to be here. Even though they’re not here physically, they were texting in the group chat, they were definitely here with us,” ani Brownlee.
“They earned this medal just as much as we did.”
“We came a long way in a short amount of time. Just feels great. I’m just happy for everybody, happy for the Philippines, it is a very special moment,” pagpapatuloy pa nito.
Isa na ngayon sa pinakamamahal na imports sa kasaysayan ng PBA, uuwi si Brownlee bilang national hero. RON TOLENTINO
More Stories
Magtatag ng business permit at licensing office sa mga LGU para makaakit ng mamumuhunan – Gatchalian
₱152M TESDA negosyo kits hindi naipamahagi sa mga benepisyaryo
TRUST, APPROVAL RATINGS SA 4Q 2024 NI VP SARA, LUMAGAPAK – PULSE ASIA