MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday said he believes the national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas still has a fighting chance against Italy in the upcoming Fiba World Cup 2019.
This is contrary to the defeatist remark of his former boss, President Rodrigo Duterte when asked about the chances of the country’s national basketball team.
“Wala, talo tayo, walang laban. Sa China na lang tayo magpusta. We will lose sa Italy. Ang lalalaki kaya ng mga gagong ‘yan,” Duterte said before Filipino-Chinese businessmen in Malacañang on Tuesday.
READ: Duterte: Gilas no chance vs Italy in Fiba World Cup, let’s bet on China instead
Go, who chairs the Senate committee on sports and had previously served as Duterte’s special assistant, said the country’s players’ will match their speed and wit with their opponent’s size.
“Mabibilis naman tayo at saka matatalino tayo. Magagaling ang Pilipino,” Go told reporters in an interview when asked if the Gilas team is at a disadvantage due to their opponent’s size.
“Ako, I believe in our team. Sana manalo tayo versus Italy at Angola. Malay mo ma-tsambahan natin,” he added.
The senator, who said he was tapped by the Gilas team as an adviser, also believes the President’s presence in the Philippine national basketball team’s game against Italy will be a “morale booster.”
“Hinimok kong pumunta si Pangulong Duterte. Sabi ko kay Pangulong Duterte, ‘Mr. President, kailangan natin bigyan ng suporta ang team especially yung first game natin is against Italy,” Go said.
“Magiging morale booster itong pagpunta ni Pangulo,” he added.
Go described the game against Italy as a “make or break,” as it would determine the chances of the Philippines in advancing to the second round of the competition. /muf