MANILA, Philippines — Despite their blowout loss to Italy, players of Gilas Pilipinas deserve admiration for displaying "grace" and "flashes of brilliance" during their 2019 FIBA World Cup opening game, Malacañang said Sunday.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte watched "patiently" as the Filipino cagers fought their taller, bigger, shiftier and sharp-shooting Italians with their accurate three-point shots.
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"In the end, we were outplayed and out-scored but not without displaying some flashes of brilliance, although few and far between. It's not always the winning that counts, it’s how the game is played," Panelo said in a statement.
"Our Filipino players played with grit and passion. And for that they deserve our admiration," he added.
LOOK: President Duterte watches Gilas Pilipinas' FIBA World Cup 2019 opening game vs Italy in Guangdong, China Saturday. Phl lost to Italy, 108-62 (Malacañang photos) @PhilippineStar@PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/YELYaiR9Sq
— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) September 1, 2019
Italy routed the Philippines in the presence of Duterte during last Saturday's match at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center, 108-62. Duterte had predicted that the Philippines would bow to Italy but Malacañang said it was the president's way to challenge the Filipino players.
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Panelo, who also watched the game at Foshan, remains upbeat about Gilas Pilipinas' chances, saying Filipinos are used to dealing with adversity.
"In the face of adversity, we always triumph," Panelo said in a radio interview yesterday.
"That's life. The ball is round, just like the world... Let's watch out for the next chapter," he added.
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Before the game, Duterte visited Gilas Pilipinas players in the locker room to wish them luck. He greeted the coaches and the players with a handshake and told them he really wanted to see the team after his official visit in Beijing.
“We are here — actually many congressmen and Filipinos, Chinese-Filipinos, are here - and we are here to give you the spirit to fight. We can do it," the president said.
“We will be praying for your victory. I'm just here. Just give your best and we will support you. Whatever it is. I am here for you," he added.
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Duterte watched from the VIP deck of the sports center and waved at the Filipinos who were watching the game during the halftime break. China’s Vice President Wang Qishan was seated beside Duterte during the game.
Gilas Pilipinas will face Serbia next on Monday.