Palace, Senate commend Gilas

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang commended yesterday the Gilas Pilipinas team for winning the silver medal in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China and at the same time urged the valiant basketball players to do better next year.

Press Secretary Herminio Coloma said that despite the setback of losing to the host team in the finals, the team will have another chance to qualify for the Olympics next year.

The administration of President Aquino is fully behind Gilas Pilipinas, along with the rest of Filipinos, in winning the silver medal and showing that the Philippines is one of the strongest teams in the region, Coloma told state-run dzRB radio.

“Gilas Pilipinas showed their courage and determination to face all challenges. They never relented and fought their adversaries in all aspects of the game,” Coloma said.

He said the team showed that the Filipinos are valiant and full of heart and they deserve the respect of the best teams in Asia.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also lauded the Gilas Pilipinas team. “We join the Filipino people in celebrating Gilas Pilipinas’ silver medal finish in the 2015 FIBA Asia Basketball Championships,” he said.

“Our people have shown the world what it means to be Filipino, and this serves as inspiration for all of us to work even harder in our respective endeavors, fulfill our individual potentials, and secure the national pride we have reclaimed, one success after another, in varying fields,” Lacierda said.

Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on games, amusement and sports, said he would file a resolution this week to pay tribute to the entire team and the coaching staff and management for making Filipinos proud during the entire tournament.

“The silver medal finish this year just proved that we are fast becoming one of the most-feared teams in Asia again. No reason to be ashamed. Really proud of what the team has achieved… despite our sorry loss to the mighty Chinese team,” he said.

He also cited the efforts of businessman Manny V. Pangilinan, president of the Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas, to support Philippine basketball.

Angara expressed hope that “the feat achieved by the team will serve as inspiration to the entire Filipino nation especially on the youth that anything is possible as long as we work, put our hearts and focus our mind to achieve our goals.”

Sen. Nancy Binay also congratulated the Gilas team for exemplifying courage and strength of the Filipino even after it landed second to China.

“Gilas Pilipinas showed the world the big heart that every Filipino has,” she said. – With Christina Mendez