Left in tears after loss, Gilas Pilipinas players pay tribute to fans

Marc Pingris was already fighting back tears in the Gilas Pilipinas bench even before the buzzer sounded on Wednesday night, signalling the end of the country's Olympic dream.

As the Philippine national team bowed out of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament with a heartbreaking 89-80 loss to New Zealand, the players were understandably emotional as they marched out of the court.

Jeff Chan's nose was red from crying, while Ranidel de Ocampo kept a stoic face on as they both declined to stop for interviews in the mixed area of Mall of Asia Arena.

Gabe Norwood must have been feeling the same way, but he still had one last duty to attend the post-game press conference as the team captain of Gilas 4.0.

"It pains me to be in this situation and I speak for the whole team," he said. "We just didn't have any answers tonight at a time where we really needed them."

Norwood expressed gratitude to the Filipino fans who came out to support the team against France and the Tall Blacks, never failing Gilas Pilipinas as the ever-reliable sixth man.

"It hurts, but I also want to say thank you to the best fans in the world. Hopefully this continues to bring pride to our country and the game of basketball," said the skipper.

Marc Pingris, who was the biggest cheerleader of the team on the bench trying to hype up the crowd the whole game, was also emotional as he spoke to the media after the game.

"Para sa akin siguro nasayangan lang siguro ako. Ang dami naming pagkakataon na manalo," he said.

Pinoy Sakuragi, however, said he still felt proud that the team introduced the Philippine brand of basketball to the world despite their losses.

"Kahit papaano nakikilala 'yung bansa natin. Alam naman natin na kaya naman natin lumaban e," he said. "Basta ilagay 'yung puso sana sa paglalaro." --JST, GMA News