The tension between the Philippines and China over the disputed territories in the South China Sea [West Philippine Sea] hardly showed inside the basketball court. For 40 minutes on May 6, the Philippine national team known as Gilas-Pilipinas battled the Chinese club team Shanghai Sharks before an appreciative crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Philippines.
The Filipinos won, 80-72. They broke the second and last deadlock of the game at 9-9 and raced to a 35-21 lead. The Filipinos posted the biggest lead of the game at 19 points, 71-52, at the end of the third quarter.
The Chinese, taller and heftier, tried hard to turn the tide in the fourth quarter but all they could do was trim the deficit to the final score.
Players exchanged token gifts before the start of the game and shook hands after it ended. The basketball game was part of the Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges [YFE] forged in 2011 between Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and former Chinese President Ju Hintao.
While not the first time an all-Chinese team came to the Philippines for basketball, it is the first time a friendly gathering between the two sides was held amid the growing tension over disputed islands.
Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay came to watch along with Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario. Minutes before the game started, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing arrived.
PHILIPPINE, CHINESE OFFICIALS: Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing stand for the two national anthems. [Abac Cordero]
The three dignitaries were introduced to the crowd. Later, they walked toward the center of the court and joined Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming for the ceremonial toss.
China?s basketball superstar owns Sharks
Aside from the Philippines and China, also laying claim to portions of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea are Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. The disputed area is important for fishing and commercial shipping and is rich in oil and natural gas.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia, who organized the Shanghai Sharks visit to the country, said it was nothing more than a friendly basketball game.
?There is no politics here. This is a purely friendship game,? the chairman of the government sports agency told APDForum on the day of the opening game between Gilas-Pilipinas and the Shanghai Sharks.
The Sharks were scheduled to play another game against a team made up of superstars from the Philippine Basketball Association [PBA] the following evening at the Araneta Coliseum, venue of the iconic ?Thrilla in Manila? heavyweight clash between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier on Oct. 1, 1975.
Garcia said there was no mention of the Spratly Island in any of the events graced by the Shanghai Sharks.
?We have not even talked about it. And I hope it stays that way. But somehow it should ease the tension,? he said.
PHILIPPINES, CHINA COMPETE: Chinese 7-foot-3 center Zhang Zhaoxu tries to block a shot by Japeth Aguilar in the first half of the game. [Abac Cordero]
Yao, the all-time greatest Chinese basketball player, sat on the bench as the Sharks team owner. Many thought he came over to play, but injuries prevented the 32-year-old NBA veteran from putting on his uniform even for an exhibition game.
Still, the former starting center of the NBA?s Houston Rockets was warmly welcomed by Filipino fans the moment he arrived in the country on May 3. In the following days, the 7-foot-6 giant?s face was all over the sports pages of Philippine dailies.
When Yao was introduced before the start of the game, the crowd ? which included Chinese nationals ? cheered him on. Security was tight around the Chinese superstar, and fans who came near him to take pictures and seek autographs were barred from doing so.
Yao said he is glad that the Philippines and China both love basketball, and have figured in a rivalry even if over the past few decades the Chinese have dominated Asia when it comes to the sport.
?It?s significant because both our countries love basketball so much. [We hope to] increase our communication and strengthen our relationship through basketball. We both have the passion but it?s all a game. We?re hoping to build more relationship by playing this,? Yao said during a news conference the day before the game.
A planned team meeting with Aquino was canceled. Instead, Vice President Binay welcomed visitors at the Coconut Palace hours before the game.
The previous day, the Shanghai Sharks staged a basketball clinic for young and less-fortunate children at the government-owned Philsports Arena in Pasig City. The team was scheduled to leave the country on May 9.
Showing the way for the Shanghai Sharks was 7-foot-3 center Zhang Zhaoxu, who was with the Chinese national team that ruled the FIBA Asia Championship two years ago in Wuhan, China. He also played in the 2012 London Olympics.
Zhang scored 17 points on top of 12 rebounds and five blocked shots. Five players led by Gary David, Japeth Aguilar and Gabe Norwood scored more than 11 points for the Filipinos.
Chinese point-guard Liu Wei, captain of the Chinese national team, made the trip but did not see action against Gilas-Pilipinas.
?It?s a pity that he couldn?t play,? Gilas-Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes said after the match. ?I?m sure Filipino basketball fans want to see him play. This is a good experience for our team. Especially for our big men whose shots were being blocked and yet they won.?
Chinese head coach Wang Qun said: ?I think the Philippine team is very well coached and played a high-level game. But conditioning wise, we are better. That?s why in the fourth quarter we were able to catch up with them.?
