PNoy tells Filipino community in Spain: 'Gilas Pilipinas made us proud'

President Benigno Aquino III commended Gilas Pilipinas for "shocking" powerhouse teams in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in a speech in Spain, where the national team competed in the highest level of basketball earlier this month.

 

Speaking before the Filipino community in Madrid, Aquino praised Gilas for making the country proud, as the Filipinos put up a good fight despite being the shortest team in the tournament.

 

"Para ho sa isang laro na malaking bentahe ang pagiging matangkad, nakita naman ho ninyo, hindi man ho sobrang katangkaran ang koponan natin, talagang hindi po tayo basta-bastang kinaya nitong mga bansang napakalaki ng height advantage," Aquino said during a meeting with the Filipino community in Madrid.

 

Gilas bowed out during the preliminary round of the FIBA World Cup after four straight heartbreaking losses to Puerto Rico, Lithuania, Greece, and Argentina in Seville. 

 

The Philippine team nevertheless scored a historic win against Senegal — the country's first win on the world basketball stage since the 1974 edition of the tournament.

 

Gilas became darlings of the international press, while Filipino basketball supporters were named "Most Valuable Fans" by FIBA, the sport's international body.

 

The Philippines is set to compete in the upcoming Asian Games, where the team is targeting the gold medal. — JST, GMA News