It's like the good ole days. I follow a big game on the radio. In geek-speak, I actually follow the knockout game between the Philippines and Korea thru audio stream on the internet. Since I can't stand watching the stop-motion live video stream, it's all I have. We cling to the words of just one man. We rely on the broadcast power of one fully-charged mobile phone. His elation is our euphoria. His anguish is our despair. During a must-win game for Smart Gilas, our ears bring us to a faraway gymnasium. Without the benefit of moving images, the brain tells us what not to expect, imagination drives us to believe. Listening to the broadcast is like plugging into a reality show. There's a first-person feel. To have Noli Eala, SBP Executive Director, deliver play-by-play, through headphones all over the country is quite revolutionary. Eala is head of the delegation, anchor, analyst, spokesperson, harsh critic, bright-eyed cheerleader, prayer warrior, dream weaver and hardened realist all in one. Say what you will, by not throwing his cell-phone on the court after bad calls against Gilas almost makes him professional. Go question the objectivity but don't ignore the authenticity.
By the tail-end of what I picture to be a grueling contest, spending a long day watching his team - our team - chase the last train out of anonymity, Eala sounds distressed. He sounds just like us when we hope for the best but our best that day doesn't make the grade. And it all feels real. As real as Asi Taulava's aching bones (23 points in 36 out of 40 minutes). As real as the exhaustion of four spent Gilas players (Taulava, Lassiter, Tiu and Casio all play at least 30 minutes).
It's the story of our teams. We try to win the early games we should win. Then, as we go deeper into the tournament, face teams that go from big to bigger, we ask our players to let it all out, young and old alike, and pray for miracles, one after another. This is one way to win. But in basketball, it certainly isn't ideal. You know it. Gilas' top brass knows it too.
Eala tells us the end is near, "1:56 to go. nine-point lead for Korea." Then, the audio signal sputters just as a team's hopes begin to evaporate. Moments later, Eala returns to report, "47 seconds left, Korea leads 70-63." Then, the signal disappears. Silence.
The team is nowhere near the finish line; let that either comfort or confound us. In any case, the result of a knockout game further clarifies an organization's desire to march on and strengthens a team's resolve to try harder next time. It's a program, after all, not a one-game fling.
The game's over but the broadcast resumes. I'm surprised to hear the pre-game of Philippines versus Korea – an instant replay. Eala's commanding voice is back to tell us to believe. He's back on-the-air to convince us, despite varied limitations, to dream…
Mico Halili, GMA News TV
