PANAMA/LA RIOJA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers) - The shared complicity between siblings is something so special that it may not happen again with any other person in your life. Gestures, glances, mutual understandings. There are many stories of brothers that have shared a national basketball team. But there are not so many stories about two brothers who have faced each other representing different countries. And that's what happened on November 30 at the Roberto Durán Arena. Gabriel Girón Jr., for Mexico; and Daniel Girón, for Panama.

“They told me that it was the first time that something like this had happened. I'm grateful for our mother and father, who led us in the right path. Being able to represent your country is the greatest thing you can do as a professional player,” said Gabriel. To which Daniel added: “When I had the chance to play for Panama, I didn't hesitate for a second. It was something I always dreamed of and I'm very happy that two nations can be represented in our family. This is the best thing that could happen, since we spent a lot of time of our childhood in both countries.”

Gabriel, the oldest brother, at 30 years of age, has already spent 7 years with the Mexican team. Daniel, 28, debuted his Panama jersey in these qualifying windows, which is why it is only now when they duel against each other with rival teams.

“We've been playing together and against each other since we were little. We played together in college, at the Centro de Estudios Universitarios in Monterrey. We faced each other in the Mexican league, he played for Correcaminos and I for the Mexico City Capitanes. This year, we're together in Capitanes. Our rivalry has always been good, but with a lot of competition. Having the opportunity to face each other in a game of this magnitude makes us proud of all the sacrifices we've made to be where we are. Besides, I'm happy to be back to the city where I spent part of my youth and see many friends again. It's something that only basketball can give you,” said Gabriel.

For his part, Daniel commented: “Although we've already played against each other in the professional league, this was something special, because it was our first international game in opposite teams. I'm very happy of the sacrifices we've both made to be here. There’s always that rivalry between us. We always try to give the best we've got in the court.”

Panama's triumph over Mexico is now recorded in the statistics. But this fraternal duel will remain in history books. And they will remember it, just like they started to do in their family dinner after the game. “My dad lives in Panama City and told us that it has been his greatest pride — enjoying that confrontation. Besides, we have another brother, Eduardo, who lives in the United States and in the future will decided which country he wants to represent,” said Gabriel. According to Daniel, “everyone in the family was happy for this opportunity we've had. My mother and father always wished us the best and encouraged us to do the best job we could, no matter the result.”

Setting their duel aside, the Girón brothers analyzed the current state of their national teams in the World Cup Qualifiers. Mexico’s player stated: “We have many absences of important players that are in Europe, others that are injured, and others that after a lot of years playing have renounced to being called again. Now there are many young players that are the future and must accumulate experience. I'm happy to have participated in other processes and to now be a part of this one.”

The Panamanian reflected: “We're a strong and complete team with a lot of individual talent. We've had very good games, but we're still lacking consistency and I think that as we spend more time together as a team, we’ll be able to get it.”

Gabriel and Daniel Girón have written a very special page in history. This confrontation will always be mentioned as the one where two brothers played for different national teams. They share the same blood but wear different jerseys.

Pablo Cormick
FIBA