Prove Duterte wrong, Palace tells Gilas ahead of World Cup

BEIJING — Prove him wrong.

This was Malacañang's challenge to Gilas Pilipinas, who, according to President Rodrigo Duterte, is likely to lose during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.

"Do your best. That's his message. He (Duterte) will watch (their game) so they will be inspired," Panelo said in a press briefing Wednesday here. 

"The statement of the president that most likely you will lose should be a challenge to you and should inspire you to make him wrong. And he will be very happy. They should be inspired because the president will be there. I think the very purpose of the president in going there is to inspire them," he added. 

Panelo said Duterte would be happy to be proven wrong and would love to see the Philippines winning over a "mighty" team. 

"He said he was speaking of reality, that we are disadvantaged. But the ball is round," the presidential spokesman said. 

Earlier this month, Duterte predicted that Gilas Pilipinas would lose because players from other countries are taller. He even joked that Filipinos should instead place their bets on China, the host of the basketball tournament. 

Duterte will cap his fifth visit here by watching the opening of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 on Saturday in Guanzhou. For its opening match, Gilas Pilipinas will be facing Italy. 

While his principal is not optimistic about Gilas Pilipinas' chances, Panelo expressed optimism that the Filipino cagers would beat the odds and win.  

"I think Italy will lose. They (Gilas Pilipinas) will win because the president will be there," Panelo said.