Gilas Pilipinas members wowed by Pinoy crowd support in Spain

Gilas Pilipinas members received a warm welcome from Pinoy fans when they arrived in the country this weekend after their FIBA Basketball World Cup campaign in Spain.

 

Fans waited at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to give them a hero's welcome, according to a report on "Balitanghali."

 

 

Among the members who returned were Pau Lee, Jayson Castro, Gary David, June Mar Fajardo, Jeff Chan, Ranidel de Ocampo, Beau Belga, and Jay Washington.

 

They thanked the fans for their support throughout the team's stint in the World Cup.

 

"Dun sa fans na nasa Spain ngayon, maraming-maraming salamat na hindi ninyo kami pinabayaan all throughout the tournament," reserved player Beau Belga said.

 

"Sobrang flattered kasi we never expected na ganun karami e. Almost 'yung coliseum namin na pinaglaruan, napuno."

 

Gary David agreed, adding that the support of Pinoys is on a different level.

 

"Pagkatapos nung laro natin sa Senegal talaga, iba, pakiramdam namin talaga nag-champion tayo," David said.

 

After the World Cup, the national team returned battle-hardened with the experience of clashing with the world's top teams.

 

"Natutunan namin 'yung kung paano maglaro hanggang sa dulo. Yung hindi gumi-give up kahit na natatambakan tayo. Lumalaban pa rin talaga tayo," said Paul Lee.

 

"Pag maglalaro ka ibibigay mo talaga 'yung best mo para sa bayan mo," June Mar Fajardo said.

 

Gilas Pilipinas bowed out of the group stage with a 1-4 card, failing to advance to the next round. The members, however, remained positive for the team in future tournaments.

 

"Maging consistent tayo kasi kailangan, dahil nga nagmarka na tayo sa ibang bansa na ang Pilipino talaga grabe 'yung puso, lumalaban," David said, adding that the Philippines should now aim to qualify for every World Cup and the Olympics.

 

"Meron pa tayong isang misyon ngayon, 'yung Asian Games. Sana makuha natin 'yung gintong medalya."

 

Gilas Pilipinas will have one week of rest before resuming their training for the Asian Games, which will be held on September 19 to October 4 in South Korea. — Marisse Panaligan/JST, GMA News