MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez heaped praises for Gilas Pilipinas after pulling an upset against world no. 6 Latvia in the 2024 FIBA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).
Romualdez in a statement on Thursday said that Gilas’ victory in the OQT is proof of the Filipino’s unwavering spirit and dedication to their craft.
“It is with great pride and heartfelt congratulations that I commend Gilas Pilipinas for their historic victory against Latvia in an official FIBA tournament. This triumph, ending a 64-year drought of wins against European teams, is glaring proof of the unwavering spirit, dedication, and perseverance of our national basketball team,” he said.
“Hindi lamang ito simpleng panalo sa scoreboard, kundi isang panalo para sa puso ng bawat atletang nangangarap na irepresent ang Pilipinas sa pandaigdigang kompetisyon. Nagsisilbi itong inspirasyon sa maraming Pilipino na magpursige dahil iba ang talento ng mga Pilipino,” he added.
(This is not just a win on the scoreboard, but also a win for the heart of all athletes hoping to represent the Philippines in international tourneys. This will serve as an inspiration for many Filipinos to pursue because our talents are one of a kind.)
READ: Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid
Gilas, currently ranked 37 in the world, won 89-80 against OQT host Latvia. The victory opened up the possibility of an assured semifinal berth for the Philippine team should they win against Georgia or lose by a margin of less than 19 points.
The Philippines eventually failed to win against Georgia but was able to clinch the semifinal spot as they lost only by two, 96-94.
READ: Gilas falls short vs Georgia, but still headed to Fiba OQT semis
Romualdez meanwhile assured Gilas and other Filipino athletes of the House’s continuous support.
“We are committed to providing the necessary resources and assistance to help our national team reach even greater heights. Whether through legislative measures or collaborative efforts with relevant organizations, we will ensure that our athletes receive the support they need to excel on the international stage,” Romualdez noted.
“To the players, coaching staff, and everyone involved with Gilas Pilipinas, we extend our deepest gratitude and admiration. Your dedication and hard work have brought immense pride to our nation. May this victory be the first of many, as you continue to inspire us with your exceptional performance and unyielding spirit,” he added. —With reports from Moss Laygo, trainee
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