After 61 years, the Philippines is back as king of Asian basketball. A decisive 70-60 victory over Jordan in the finals of the Asian Games men's basketball event in Hangzhou, China, allowed the country to reclaim the crown it last won in 1962 in Jakarta. The dramatic 77-76 victory over regional rival China in the semifinals—one that put the country back in the Asian hoop finals for the first time in 33 years—polished that gold medal to a more lustrous shine. And coming from the rubble of a failed Fiba World Cup bid here at the heart of basketball's kingdom, the Asian Games triumph provided a treasure trove of gains valuable for a program in need of a thorough repair job.

https://opinion.inquirer.net/166985/patriotism-in-ph-basketball

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