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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Champion cager-turned-congressman asks, 'What happened to Gilas?'

Champion cager-turned-congressman asks, 'What happened to Gilas?'

Published Sep 4, 2023 09:58 am

At A Glance

  • Quezon 3rd district Rep. Franz Pumaren asks out of the blue during budget hearing: What happened to Gilas Pilipinas.

Screenshot_2023-09-04-16-44-29-78_a23b203fd3aafc6dcb84e438dda678b6.jpgQuezon 3rd district Rep. Franz Pumaren (Screenshot from YouTube live)

What happened to Gilas Pilipinas in this year's FIBA Basketball World Cup?

Quezon 3rd district Rep. Franz Pumaren asked this question tongue-in-cheek--and out of nowhere--during his interpellation of Department of Transportation (DOTr) officials on Monday, Sept. 4.

"Mr. Chairman, probably I can commend all the guests now, because the way they answer, talagang alam nila yung pinag-uusapan (they really know what we're talking about)," Pumaren said during the House Committee on Appropriations' deliberation on the DOtr's 2024 budget.

"Pero may one question lang po ako. Kung ito masasagot nila, siguro lalo akong bibilib sa kanila (But I have one question. If they can manage to answer this, then I'll be more impressed with them)," the veteran solon said.

He continued: "Concern din po ni Congressman Rufus [Rodriguez]--ano po nangyari sa Gilas? This is also concern of Congressman Rufus Rodriguez--what happened Gilas?"

Naturally, Pumaren's colleagues laughed, after which the Quezon City congressman ended his questioning of the DOTr panel.

But Pumaren is no ordinary congressman; when it comes to the House of Representatives, he probably has more basketball knowledge and aptitude than all 310 of his colleagues combined.

Pumaren, 59, is a multi-time champion as a coach and player. He is a five-time champion coach in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), will all these titles with De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers from 1998 to 2007.

Before this, the point guard was a vital cog in the San Miguel squad in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) from 1986 to 1998. He won 10 titles during that span, including a rare grand slam in 1989.

In a manifestation on the plenary floor Monday during privilege hour, Pumaren also shared to his fellow solons that he was part of the last Filipino squad that won the FIBA Asia Cup. That took place way back in 1985.

Despite co-hosting the FIBA World Cup this year, the Philippines only managed to win once in five outings. Gilas did not make it past the first round of the tournament.

Related Tags

Franz Pumaren FIBA World Cup Gilas Pilipinas
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