Gilas Pilipinas in action during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has asked Filipinos to "continue supporting and celebrating" local athletes following the Gilas Pilipinas' national basketball team's gallant stand in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. 

“Let us continue to support and celebrate our athletes, as they embody the spirit of Filipino resilience and excellence. The lessons learned and the experiences gained from this tournament will serve as stepping stones towards greater achievements in the future,” he said in a statement Sunday, July 7. 

On Saturday night, Gilas was defeated by world no.12 Brazil, 71-60 in the semifinals of the tournament. 

But this wasn't before Tim Cone' wards upset world no.6 Latvia and out-quotiented another European team in Georgia during the group stage. 

“To the players of Gilas Pilipinas, your courage, sportsmanship and passion have inspired countless Filipinos. You have shown heart and determination. Your journey has sparked a renewed sense of hope and pride in our nation, and for that, we are eternally grateful,”  Romualdez said. 

“The journey of Gilas Pilipinas in this tournament has been nothing short of inspirational. Their victory against Latvia, a European team, was a historic moment for Philippine basketball and a testament to the team’s resilience and capability,” noted the Speaker. 

“Although our bid for the Olympics ended, our players have proven their mettle by going toe-to-toe with world-class athletes and making every Filipino proud,” he added. 

“These games have shown that with perseverance, strategic play and unity, we can hold our own against higher-ranked opponents. This experience will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for future successes,” Speaker Romualdez said. 

Gilas is ranked 37th in the world by FIBA. The Philippines last competed in Olympic basketball during the 1972 Munich games.