By Dugout Philippines
The Gilas fans in Bangkok are in full force for the SEA Games. POC Media Pool
BANGKOK—Gilas Pilipinas is not alone in its bid to reach the Promised Land in this Thai capital.
A horde of Filipino fans is making sure the Philippine dribblers feel at home in their quest to keep the title in the men’s basketball tournament of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games here.
“It's unbelievable,” Gilas coach Norman Black said on the heels of his team’s 83-58 whipping of Malaysia in Group A play Sunday at the Nimibutr Stadium.
“It feels like we're in the Philippines right now with a lot of people in the stands to cheer for us.”
“Hopefully, they can continue to come out as we get farther in the tournament,” he added.
Among those who showed up and cheered her heart out for the Nationals was celebrity YouTuber and actress Zeinab Harake-Parks, the wife of Gilas star Ray.
The son of the late legendary PBA import Bobby Parks showed the way for Black’s quintet with 18 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
Black was hardly surprised by his godson’s impressive outing, elated that the Japan B.League campaigner did not hesitate to suit up for flag and country anew.
“You know Rayray already. We've all seen him in his entire career. We know how good he is. I'm just happy he said yes to me to be part of the team, and was able to get an okay from his team in Japan to play here,” he said.
“Like we said, we need Rayray as we get better as we go along. Good win, but we gottta work harder.”
