Hello, Taiwan

When I was applying for the UP Law, the LAE required a one-page handwritten (using a lead pencil!) essay. I wrote about the decline of the success of Philippine basketball in the Asian scene, and suggested ways on how to improve it.

One of my suggestions were to focus on the development of the national team, composed pool of players from our professional league. Every time the Philippines wants to join an international tournament, the coaching staff will choose from this pool of players based on readiness (talent-wise and team-chemistry-wise) and availability.

Gladly, this was supported by current PBA commissioner Chito Salud and other Philippine basketball officials. I knew the team was on the right track when multi-titled PBA coach, Coach Chot Reyes went on board to coach the Smart Gilas team. In addition, players from different ball clubs in the PBA started sending their top players to train for Gilas.

In last year's Jones Cup, Gilas finished as champions, with LA Tenorio awarded as the Most Valuable Player. The future looked bright for Gilas.

And then, something happened off the coast of Batanes. A Taiwanese fisherman was shot by a member of the Philippine Coast Guard. This seems a little unrelated to basketball but, no, it is related. The repercussions of this shooting incident will undoubtedly affect overseas employment and tourism. But what surprised me the most what that this shooting's impact has now spread to basketball.

Why, you ask. Because Taiwan has decided to be childish. It revoked Gilas' invitation to play in the Jones Cup. Although the Jones Cup is not a pre-requisite to the Gilas' Olympic dreams (the FIBA tournament is), the team sees it as a great opportunity to scout the other teams, and to train the current pool of players considering recent injuries. And of course, as defending champions, Gilas deserves to defend their title.

Tenorio is upset by this recent development, and he has a right to be. I see this as a great step back not only for Gilas but also, and most importantly, to Asian basketball. The shooting is still under investigation yet Taiwan has decided to come to its own conclusions and avoid contact with the Philippines, as much as possible.

Taiwan must be thankful that it is not a country because it is not required to have a team to field in the FIBA Asia Championships in Manila in August. Therefore, the Philippines cannot revoke any invitation to them as retaliation. Ha.