'Gilas Pilipinas showed the Filipino heart can't be outsized'

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang congratulated the Gilas Pilipinas for winning the silver medal in the recently-concluded FIBA Asia Championships, praising the players for showcasing a big heart for the game and for the nation despite being physically outsized by most of their foes.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the victory of the country's national basketball team is the "culmination of years of hard work, belief, and perseverance" from the players, their families, coaching staff, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Lacierda also cited the support of the Filipino fans who have "always stood behind the national team through their struggles and triumphs."

"In unison, the nation urged our team forward, and with consummate 'puso,' they laid everything on the line for flag and country. Gilas Pilipinas has shown the world that no one can outsize the heart of the Filipino," he said in a statement.

"May their performance inspire every Filipino to relentlessly pursue excellence, no matter what field they find themselves in, so that, together, we may fulfill our shared aspiration of a Philippine nation greater than ever before," Lacierda added.

The team's second-place finish in the tournament earned the Philippines a ticket to the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain that is set next year.

The victory puts back the Philippines to the world basketball map after over three decades. The country last played in the FIBA World Cup in 1978.

On Sunday, Gilas failed to earn the gold medal after falling 85-71 to undefeated Iran, which was bannered by seven-foot-two NBA player Hamed Haddadi, who led all scorers with 29 points while also grabbing 16 rebounds.

Haddadi, named as the tournament's Most Valuable Player, simply dominated the game as his Philippine counterpart, naturalized center Marcus Douthit, missed action after aggravating an injury during the semi-finals game against South Korea on Saturday.

In the said game, the Gilas boys also fought with a lot of heart against the tall, long-time rival South Korea, which had foiled the Philippines' return to the world championships in many heartbreaking defeats in the past.

During the gold medal and semi-final matches, five-foot-eleven point guard Jayson Castro (William), one of the smallest players in the tournament, led the Philippines in scoring.

Considered as among the most consistent Gilas players througout the entire competition, Castro was named as one of the best point guards in Asia when he earned a place in the "Mythical Five" at the end of the tournament.