Cheering for Gilas

SEVILLE – It’s been suggested to tap an artist, perhaps Ogie Alcasid, to compose a cheer for the Filipino crowd to use whenever Gilas plays in an international competition like the FIBA World Cup here.

Against Argentina last Monday, the Philippines had no reply for the harmonic chanting of the Luis Scola faithful. The Argentine fans cheered, sang and swayed as they made their presence felt in the stands as the national team’s sixth man. The Filipinos were just as loud but they were drowned by the raucous chants of the Argentines who cheered in unison.

In 2009, Manny Pacquiao took on Manchester’s Ricky Hatton in an IBO lightwelterweight title fight in Las Vegas and the Filipino icon got a taste of the melodic chant of the British fans who probably took 3/4 of the seats at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The British fans sang to the tune of “Winter Wonderland,” changing the lyrics to suit Hatton. Pacquiao wasn’t bothered by the noise and promptly disposed of Hatton in two rounds.

A uniform chant would be useful in cheering for Gilas, Pacquiao and other Filipino athletes in the future. But it has to be easy to follow with repeating lyrics so the song or jingle isn’t difficult to learn. Imagine the stadium rocking with a throng of fans singing the same song to inspire their team or favorite athlete. That’s exactly what happened last Monday when Argentina clawed back from an early 10-point deficit and withstood a furious Gilas rally down the stretch. The loud Argentine fans surely lifted their heroes’ spirit.

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PBA two-time MVP James Yap arrived here from a month-long vacation in Italy but came without his girlfriend Michela. He left for Manila yesterday. Yap showed up to cheer for Gilas and San Mig Coffee teammate Marc Pingris in particular. Before the Philippines’ game against Argentina, Yap appeared on TV with the broadcast panel in the unilateral stand-upper.

PBA legend Hector Calma and wife Ines are here to watch the Gilas games and celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary. Former PBA player Eugene Tejada came with wife Andrea for a two-week honeymoon. Tejada, who suffered a career-ending accident during a PBA game, sat in a wheelchair and was in high spirits. Like every Filipino, Tejada was proud of how Gilas has fought valiantly game in, game out.

Another former PBA player Mike Advani is also in town with San Beda College major supporter/lawyer/businessman Art Tugade and his wife Marisol. Advani even went to Guadalajara to watch the Gilas warmup game against the Dominican Republic whose assistant coach is Bill Bayno. Advani was in Bayno’s staff for two months with Talk ‘N’ Text in the PBA in 2001-02. Bayno is now the lead assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors.

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Although Blackwater and Kia Motors will not be represented at the PBA Board of Governors performance review and planning session at the Melia Lebreros Hotel here this morning, officials from both expansion franchises are here to support Gilas. Ever Bilena CEO Dioceldo Sy and Wilbert Loa don’t miss a single game. From Kia Motors and the Pepito Alvarez group are Bobby Rosales, Chito Santos and Dennis Mate.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud said Blackwater and Kia Motors will be invited to join the Board of Governors meeting during the Asian Games in Incheon on Sept. 19-Oct. 4. The Board will also show support for Gilas in that tournament.

Salud said the agenda for today’s meeting will focus on a review of the season past and a report on the pro league’s accomplishments in relation to the goals earlier set. He singled out the major achievements as the expansion to 12 teams this coming season, the increase in TV ratings due to TV5’s wide reach and clear signal and the rise in gate receipts.

Salud admitted that attendance was down last season because of schedule adjustments to allow more training time for Gilas. “The sacrifice was well worth it,” he said. “We had a drop in attendance but gate receipts were still up because of the reconfiguration of the seating sections at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The adjustments meant a compressed schedule and sometimes, playing on consecutive days.”