Palace: Gilas deserves heroes’ welcome

Philippines’ players celebrate after winning the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group B match Senegal vs Philippines at the Palacio Municipal de Deportes in Sevilla on September 4, 2014. Philippines won the match 81-79. AFP

MANILA, Philippines – The Gilas Pilipinas deserves a “heroes’ welcome” for its historic victory in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, Malacanang said Saturday.

“We went up against some of the world’s best national teams and the Gilas team gave their damnedest best! Their gallant fighting spirit, never say die attitude and playing from the heart deserves a heroes’ welcome,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on state-run dzRB radio.

“They put up a good fight. They made the Philippines proud and showed how the Filipinos fight with heart whether in sports or any field. We really showed we the heart,” Lacierda added.

He said the Filipinos would surely celebrate when the national team arrives.

“I’m sure that the Filipino people will be celebrating when they arrive and it’s a very warm congratulations to the team, to Coach Chot Reyes, to the coaching staff, and all the players,” he said.

Asked whether the team would make a courtesy call to President Benigno Aquino III, he said, “We will see. We don’t know if the President will still be here.’”

Aquino is set to visit this September the United States, France, Germany, Belgium, and Spain to strengthen diplomatic relations and attract trade and investments among the countries.

The Gilas team had a heartbreaking stint in the FIBA World Cup but was able to snatch their first win in the tournament against Senegal.

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