Losing to Palestine 'a blessing in disguise' for Gilas Pilipinas

CHANGSHA, China - Now that Gilas Pilipinas secured the top seed heading into the knockout quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Championship, the team's opening day loss to Palestine already seems like a distant memory for many fans, especially after five straight wins, including an upset against defending champion Iran. 

 

But for veterans Asi Taulava and Dondon Hontiveros, the sting of that defeat will always be at the back of their minds - as a lesson hard-earned.

 

"We learned a big lesson from Game One going into the quarters right now," said the 42-year-old center. "I think that was probably a blessing in disguise, what happened to us early against Palestine. That sure as hell pissed everybody off."

LOOKING BACK: GILAS PILIPINAS VS. PALESTINE
 

Hontiveros echoed Taulava's sentiment, saying that the pain of losing has served as their motivation in their succeeding games heading into the quarters.

 

"In a way naging blessing in disguise. Sinabi [ni coach] kung matalo man, matalo this early para malaman namin kung gaano kasakit. Naramdaman namin kung ano 'yung naramdaman ng mga kababayan natin sa Pilipinas," said the 38-year-old shooting guard.

 

The team has bounced back strong since that game, but they will look back on it again as they enter the playoffs where one loss means the end of their campaign for the gold medal.

 

"It's for us to really remember that game when we go to the next game. 'Yung na-feel namin nun, we don't want to feel it again," Hontiveros said.

 

Gilas Pilipinas is set to meet dangerous Lebanon for their quarterfinal match on Thursday night. —JST, GMA News