Duterte remarks meant to inspire Gilas

Gilas Pilipinas huddles up after training Monday night. photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

BEIJING—Prove President Duterte wrong.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo gave this message to members of Gilas Pilipinas on Wednesday, three days before the Philippine national men’s basketball team opens its Fiba World Cup bid in Foshan province against Italy.

Known for his usually brutal plain speak, Mr. Duterte earlier said Gilas would surely lose to the much taller Italians, earning him the ire of Filipino basketball fans.

And true to his familiar tack, Panelo offered a different spin to the President’s remarks, saying it was actually meant to challenge the Nationals to be on top of their game against the best basketball players in the world.

He said the Chief Executive, who was set to arrive here on Wednesday night for a five-day official visit, would travel to Foshan to watch the Gilas game on Saturday.

“The statement of the President … should be a challenge to you and should inspire you to make him wrong. And he will be very happy [if he is proven wrong],” Panelo told reporters here.

“They should be inspired especially because the President will be there. I think the very purpose of the President in going there is to inspire them,” he added.