Pinoy fans in Korea sympathize with Gilas

INCHEON, South Korea – As Gilas Pilipinas' medal chances faded in a mere two-point win (67-65) against Kazakhstan, Filipino fans here did not let the national team fade into sunset on Sunday alone and heartbroken.

Still reeling from a failed attempt to win by 11 against Kazakhstan and enter the semis via backdoor, the fans showered Gilas with undying support and sympathy in these trying times.

They stayed behind long after the game has ended. Even those who were not able to buy tickets waited for the team to get out of the gym.

Security guards at the Hwaseong Sports Complex were surprised to see hordes of Filipinos outside the venue asking for tickets that did not come. They practiced maximum tolerance to those angry Filipino fans who were not able to get in as tickets were claimed to be sold out despite a lot of empty seats inside the venue.

Even PBA chairman Pato Gregorio and other league officials had to settle for the bleachers seat as they scrambled for tickets that organizers claimed to be already sold out.

IAGOC (Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee) was not ready for big crowds in Gilas games.

While some fans back home were outraged and showed their disappointment online, Filipinos here did the opposite.

They stayed and sympathized with the team.

In return, Gilas players asked the security personnel to allow the fans to stay behind and mingle with them for even just 30 minutes.

"This is our way to give back to them especially those who traveled from afar just to see us, those who were not able to get in to watch us, and those who skipped work just to be here," Gilas team captain Jimmy Alapag said.

As the 30-minute request turned into an hour and even until sunset, organizers grew weary and asked the team to board the shuttle or they will be left behind.

Gilas coach Chot Reyes told the IAGOC staff that they are willing to ride taxis going back to Athletes Village, more than an hour ride from Hwaseong Sports Complex.

The organizers could not help but to wait for the team.

The whole team arrived at the Athletes Village at almost 9 p.m. dejected and visibly spent. They have barely under 24 hours to recover and lick the wounds of a stinging failure to get into the medal round.

Gilas will face China 3:15 p.m. Monday Manila time in the consolation round, aiming to finish as high as fifth place to improve on the country's sixth place finish in the 2010 Asian Games.

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Editor's note: We would like to thank Ms Patricia Bermudez-Hizon for letting us embed her Instagram posts from the venue.