MANILA, Philippines — The Americans’ chartered jet, on its way from the Arabian Peninsula, flew over a range of forested mountains as it began its initial descent into the Philippines, where only the occasional dirt path splitting the trees seemed to be a reasonable means of navigating the jungle.
As the plane flew east, across this nation of 7,640 islands, and approached the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, thousands of tin roofs covering shacks and huts made out of plaster or cement brick dotted the landscape. Some of the structures, whether they were homes or former businesses, collapsed on one side, exposed to the air.
Awaiting Team USA on the tarmac was a welcoming delegation. Local dignitaries, women in traditional gowns, placing hand-woven scarves of silk and gold around the necks of players and coaches, and airport workers taking cellphone footage.
The team buses, guided by police escort, could only partially navigate the stifling traffic in Metro Manila. Hundreds of mopeds and mini motorcycles weaved through cars. Makeshift buses with cabs look like they were made out of a giant tin can, called jeepneys, clogged lanes; a truck filled with live pigs passed on the right. A 10-minute drive to the business district, to skyscrapers and attractive restaurants…
