Gilas legends LA Tenorio, Larry Fonacier, Jeff Chan and Gary David during the One Year To Go countdown media conference. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Gary David believes the 2013-14 national team, which ended the Philippines’ 40-year drought in the Fiba World Cup back then, is the best Gilas Pilipinas batch ever assembled.
“Maipagyayabang ko siguro na ‘yung grupo namin na ‘to, ‘yun ang pinaka-best Gilas para sa amin,” said David after he was introduced as one of the local ambassadors for the World Cup 2023 on Thursday.
(I can proudly say that for us, our group is the best Gilas.)
“Lahat andoon eh. Naging maganda ang samahan,” he added
(We had everything. We had a great bond.)
Almost a decade after its historic feat, the 2013-14 Gilas group, bannered by Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel De Ocampo, and Marc Pingris, will be part of the country’s historic hosting of the World Cup 2023 as local ambassadors along with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
David, who was with LA Tenorio, Larry Fonacier, and Jeff Chan at the media conference, is honored that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) still kept their special group to inspire the new batch of Gilas players and the basketball fans.
“I’m really proud and thankful that our group is still part of the World Cup. To be part of this event again is huge for us after we made it to the FIba world cup after 40 years during our time,” said the former PBA scoring champion in Filipino.
Jayson Castro, June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Paul Lee, and Gabe Norwood, who played in the Fiba World Cup 2014 in Spain, were also named local ambassadors.
Fonacier recalled their special bond that started in the 2012 Jones Cup, making him inspired to be a good ambassador for the Philippines.
“Every step of the journey was special. There’s really not one moment that didn’t stand out during my experience. Just being part of Gilas team and being with the best players in the country every moment practice or eat around. I cherished all those moments,” said Fonacier, who played in the qualifiers in 2013.
“As ambassadors, we would not have reached the world cup qualifiers without everyone here. I just remembered everyone was cheering: “Laban Pilipinas! Puso!” during our time. This whole event is for all of us we have such huge responsibility and privilege for all of us to promote this event and make sure that this is the best basketball event here in the Philippines,” he added.
Chan, who both played in the 2013 qualifiers and the 2014 World Cup, understands that the format of the Fiba tournament is different now compared to the path they went through before. As ambassador, he hopes to inspire the Philippine men’s basketball team that will play in the 2023 World Cup.
“I know there are a lot of pools, there will be a lot of selections. Hopefully, they will form a strong bond just like us. Whatever happens, just give their best to be successful,” Chan said in Filipino.