Saints Tie Jinli All Stars, Bid Farewell to China
January 03, 2008
At 6:00 a.m. the Saints set off for Beijing Airport to catch a three-hour flight south to the city of Guangzhou, compliments of the Jinli company, where they would compete in a final exhibition game against the company's sponsored all-star team.
Touching down just before noon, those who had been bothered by the cold weather encountered earlier in the week immediately found a reason to smile, as sunshine and palm trees were the first to greet them as they made their way outside. Arriving an hour later to the hotel, team members took some time to rest from their morning travels before making their way over to the night's game venue.
Pulling into the sports ground's parking lot, the Saints were collectively awestruck by the scene inside the stadium's doors, as a sell-out crowd of 1,500 people awaited their arrival. With music blasting across the arena's loudspeakers, a group of local teen cheerleaders performed at center court. As the team eventually began its warm up routine, an announcer excitedly continued to pump up the crowd, while children took part in a quick shooting clinic under one of the baskets.
While the Saints initially appeared apprehensive about playing in the midst of such an electrified atmosphere, it took only a few minutes of game time for them to calm their nerves, as they soon realized the raucous crowd was cheering less for a hometown win than a stirring basketball contest.
As the teams continually battled for the lead throughout the second half - during one stretch matching each other shot for shot, much to the excitement of the masses - Emmanuel coaches and players alike found great enjoyment in pandering to the fans, many of who appeared to change their team allegiance within the timeframe of the match. Unbelievably, the women battled their way to an 87-87 score - their second-consecutive draw of the trip - as both teams once again agreed to end the friendly bout after four competitive quarters.
After the game, players posed for photographs with fans and many took home souvenir posters made specifically for the event. They traveled the short distance back to the hotel to enjoy a quick meal before heading off to bed, exhausted from a game that was for many the highlight contest of the China excursion.
The next day, the team had the opportunity to tour two of Jinli's local factories before heading back to the airport. Meeting a few of the company's executives, the Saints collectively thanked them for their hospitality during their short stay. Boarding an early afternoon flight back to Beijing, the team eventually arrived back to the Holiday Inn Temple of Heaven for its last night of the nine-day expedition.
With their tour of China all but complete, the immensity of the sights and scenes the Emmanuel crew has witnessed during its stay have surely yet to be fully realized. Over the next few weeks, after souvenirs are distributed to family and friends, photographs placed into albums and daily lives returned to normal, group members will undoubtedly have the chance to look back and fondly reminisce.
In just over seven months from now, when the flame is officially lit to begin the XXIX Olympiad, here's hoping it may also rekindle memories of a journey that was nothing short of unforgettable.