Malacañang Statement

The Aquino administration joins the Filipino people in congratulating Gilas Pilipinas for winning the silver medal in the 2013 Fiba Asia Championships—and with it, a ticket to the 2014 Fiba Basketball World Cup in Spain.

This victory is the culmination of years of hard work, belief, and perseverance from our players and their families, from our coaching staff, from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas led by Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, and, most of all, from the entire Filipino nation, who has 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. 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.

— Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda