FORMER Senator Robert Jaworski believes the Philippines? road to reclaiming Asian basketball glory would be a difficult one.            

?Let?s not fantasize too much. It?s going to be very rough. But in any sector, the word preparation and organization are keys. But beyond that, we have to put together a national philosophy that will finally make us move together toward one direction and value whatever that philosophy,? said Jaworski, who guided the first all-pro RP men?s basketball team to a silver medal in the Asian Games, the best-ever finish by the Filipinos since the open basketball policy was instituted.

He blamed the lack of funding as one of the hindrances why Philippine basketball has failed to improve for years, as well as the never-ending politicking in the sport.

?Let?s face it. Even in our own individual tournaments in this country, there is what you call empty victories. There are losses that have made a great contribution to both the losers and the winners. What I am saying is, let?s put together a national policy, a direction for what we want to achieve as a people and then work toward that direction, which is proper funding to the sport,? he added. 

The former player/coach, who was responsible for instilling the never-say-die spirit that made Ginebra the country?s most popular team, was one of the 13,000-plus fans, who trooped to the Big Dome in Game 6 of the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup finals between Alaska and Talk N Text. Rey Joble