In a country where children love basketball so much that some play in bare feet, facing off against Philippine military teams in Manila was always going to be a tough assignment for ADF basketballers.
In a basketball tournament held as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2024, the Aussie women quickly found any height advantage negated by the speed and skill of a Philippine Armed Forces side during their first game in sweltering conditions at Camp Aguinaldo.
The reigning two-time champion team ducked and weaved around their Aussie opposition, moving the ball with impressive speed to close the first quarter ahead 29-11.
ADF women did their best to contain home side’s key players and shut down any fast transitions, but the Filipinas better capitalised on opportunities.
While the Aussie’s shots at goal landed sometimes, the local women seemed to never miss – with numerous three-pointers pushing the score to 78-39 by the end of the third quarter.
The Aussies managed to stabilise things in the final period, but the Filipinas finished on top, 88-56.
‘I had a feeling they’d be pretty quick but their shooting was very accurate, it was impressive. I don’t think they miss.’
Philippine Armed Forces’ roster included two players previously on national team Gilas Pilipinas and was led by Sergeant Tots Comeso, a varsity basketballer from De La Salle University.
“We are shorter, that’s why we try and perfect the execution of our shooting,” Sergeant Comeso said.
“It’s a great experience to play with [the Australians]. They’re tall, they’re strong, but we’re in good physical condition.”
The ADF women had a similar experience in their following game against an agile and accurate Philippine Navy side, outclassed 90-49 by the locals.
ADF small forward Corporal Claudia de Grave-Nott was anticipating her opposition’s speed but didn’t foresee their shooting prowess.
“I had a feeling they’d be pretty quick but their shooting was very accurate, it was impressive. I don’t think they miss,” she said.
“Their team dynamics were good; you can tell they’ve been playing together for a while.”
Competition was closer in the men’s matches, with ADF containing Philippine Armed Forces to a 23-13 lead in the opening quarter of their first game.
Sweat poured as the Filipinos managed a 48-40 lead at half time, but ADF men closed in to finish the third quarter trailing slightly 68-65; seemingly validating the Aussie’s plan to use their height and play slow.
“Height advantage helps, but it’s not everything. Being athletic and having skills can make a big difference,” ADF power forward and centre Aircraftman Thomas Nyhouse said.
But the Filipinos weren’t content with playing slow, following through with their plan to ‘run and gun’ while quickly moving the ball.
ADF men briefly hit the front with about two minutes remaining, but the talented Filipino side rallied to win 93-86.
‘All their players, guards, forwards and centres – really do like to play physical and use their body.’
The men’s Philippine side wasn’t without its share of star power, including Seaman 2nd Class Vinny Begaso, a professional player in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League before enlisting.
“The game was quite hard, because you’re too tall for us. Some of us haven’t encountered playing against taller guys,” Seaman 2nd Class Begaso said.
“We need to move fast, we need to jump higher, to be strong enough. It’s very good experience for us, and good preparation for our other leagues.”
The game taught ADF a lesson in the physical way basketball is played in the Philippines
“All their players, guards, forwards and centres – really do like to play physical and use their body. It leads to a couple of bumps and bruises but it all works out in the end,” Aircraftman Nyhouse said.
The ADF men followed with another close match, going down to another Armed Forces of Philippines composite team, 71-61.
They scored an 80-73 victory on the final day over the Philippine Navy.
“[The Australians] were a pretty good team. I’m very confident that they are competitive against the Filipino teams here,” Seaman 2nd Class Begaso said.
This was poignant given the Philippines’ love of basketball, according to Seaman 2nd Class Begaso.
“Everywhere on the streets in the Philippines you will see basketball courts, a lot of kids, even though they don’t have shoes, they still play in their bare feet,” he said.
