Gilas Pilpinas. Photo from Fiba.com
Malacanang on Saturday congratulated the Gilas Pilipinas after winning against Japan in the Fiba Asia 2015 on Friday night.
“Congratulations once again to Gilas Pilipinas for putting one over Japan at (and) to end up in the finals,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over government-run dzRB radio.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas nips Japan, faces China in Fiba Asia 2015 final
Gilas defeated Japan, 81-70, in their Fiba Asia Championship Final Four duel, sealing a championship match with host China.
Valte said the Philippines is confident that the Gilas would play with all their heart.
“Confident po tayo that once again itatayo na naman po ng Gilas Pilipinas ang bandila ng Pilipinas at we wish them luck (We are confident that once again, Gilas Pilipinas will raise the Philippine flag and we wish them luck). We wish the boys well,” she said.
“‘PUSO’ para sa Pilipinas ang dadalhin ng ating koponan. So good luck, Gilas. Lahat po kami sumusubaybay sa inyong tagumpay. At kung hindi man, alam pa rin natin na buong puso na itinayo ang bandila ng Pilipinas,” she added.
(Our team will carry the “HEART” for the Philippines. So good luck, Gilas. We all follow your victory. No matter what happens, we know wholeheartedly that they have raised the Philippine flag.)
The Palace official said that the Gilas Pilipinas rekindled the Filipinos’ interest and passion for basketball.
“Well, Filipinos love basketball, that’s not a secret. But I think Gilas has given us also a renewed interest and passion for the game of basketball,” she said.
READ: It’s Gilas vs China for Asian cage title
The Gilas Pilipinas and China on Saturday night would clash for the gold medal and the outright qualification to the Rio Olympics in 2016. Nestor Corrales/RAM