Jordan Clarkson leads the Philippines to a win in the Fiba World Cup. (Photo by MARLO CUETO / INQUIRER.net)
In their bid for the Fiba World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas failed to advance, but their 21-point victory against China was hailed as their “most important” win in the tournament, according to senators.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and five other senators wore T-shirts imprinted with “West PH Sea” to show their support for the national basketball team, symbolizing the political tensions between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea.
“This was the most important game of all! For our pride and for our motherland, the Philippines!” Zubiri told the Inquirer.
Given China’s recent actions in the West Philippine Sea, the victory over them in the world basketball tournament holds significant meaning for the Philippines, according to Zubiri.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, a former member of the national youth basketball team, praised the extraordinary support of the Filipino crowd at the Araneta Coliseum. He likened the victory to the Philippines’ landmark arbitral court ruling against China in 2016.
Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, chair of the Samahang Bastketbol ng Pilipinas, emphasized that the game against China was no ordinary match.
“We needed this win. Full credit to Gilas coaches and players for preparing well,” Angara said.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa revealed that they wore the T-shirts provided by Villanueva to ignite the patriotic spirit of Gilas Pilipinas. He acknowledged that the victory holds symbolic significance in light of the recent developments in
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