Fiba Asia Champions Cup 2011 June 1

 
Was lucky enough to get good seats around great cheerers for the Smart Gilas during yesterdays game.
 
It was the loudest and raudiest bunch of supporters. It was reminiscent of Ginebra fans, although I still credit Ginebra for having fans across all economic stratas.
 
The whole game was a great experience, something I can scarcely believe I was a part of. The game was hard fought and I was beginning to have doubts that Smart Gilas would pull through because No.4 of ASU-Jordan seemed to be able to score at will.
 
THE FANS ARE HERE. Was watching for the last few days and I can say without a doubt this was the funnest crowd of all the games I’ve been fortunate to have watched(this tournament).
 
The cheering on my estimation was started by the tiu groupies but the red courtside people needed only a little prodding. It was fun watching the last 4 minutes or so of the game standing up because everybody was so hyped. I wish I was a better writer to convey how fun the game was. It was well worth the half-day I incurred between watching the NBA Finals at home arriving after lunch and leaving early to catch Smart GILAS make their countrymen proud!!!!!!!!!!
 
On a related note we need a two syllable chant to shout during offense the way we do with defense when Smart Gilas is defending. I say we can shout GI-LAS.
 
I’m irked that I don’t know whether I’d be able to get great seats for the quarter finals , the semi finals and God willing the Finals!!! That experience was just to damn good to not spread by word of mouth.
 
On  a related note shame on GMA and ABS-CBN for not covering Smart Gilas with the same dedication they do the Azkals.  I have nothing against football and I actually enjoy watching high level football, but damn even if the Smart Gilas people aren’t of the same artista caliber as the Azkals, and the game is featured in IBC13 we really need to set aside these petty rivalries for things that can create a sense of nationalism. We have a shattered cultural psyche and we need all the events and accomplishments, pseudo accomplishments we can muster to galvanize ourselves as a nation. A house divided falls, a nation divided crumbles.