Palace: We should all be proud of ‘Gilas Pilipinas’

Smart Gilas Pilipinas (Facebook photo)

MANILA — Despite losing to Puerto Rico, the country should still be proud of Gilas Pilipinas’ efforts in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain, the Palace said Thursday.

“Sa aking palagay ay dapat pa ring ipagpatuloy ang ating pagsuporta at dapat pa rin nating ipagmalaki ang Gilas Pilipinas,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. during the daily press briefing in Malacañang.

Puerto Rico won against the Philippines 77-73 after trailing behind Gilas Pilipinas in the first half of the game.

With the result, Gilas Pilipinas has lost its chance to advance to the round of 16.

“Hindi nga lang nakaya na talunin ang Puerto Rico. Pero katulad nang naganap na mga laro laban sa Croatia at Argentina, nagwakas ito sa napakalapit na score, at sinumang nakakaunawa ng basketball ay magsasabing kung nadagdagan lang ang swerte ay maaari pang napagtagumpayan ito,” said Coloma.

The Philippine Basketball Team had lost its previous games with a margin of less than 10 points: against Croatia (81–78); Greece (82–70); and Argentina (85–81).

The team even took the lead in its games with Croatia, Argentina and Puerto Rico before losing.

“Taas-noo ang ating mga manlalaro, taas-noo pa rin ang mga Pilipino, sapagkat kahanga-hanga rin naman ang kanilang ipinakitang husay sa pakikipaglaro,” said Coloma.