MVP asks fans to put up united front for Gilas vs China

MANILA, Philippines -- After Gilas Pilipinas punched a ticket to the gold medal match of the 2015 FIBA Asia Men's Championship, there was no other person prouder than what this much maligned national team had achieved so far than its acknowledged godfather.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Manny V. Pangilinan has never wavered his support and faith in coach Tab Baldwin's team despite the controversies and setbacks that tried to rock the boat since day one.

Following Gilas' 81-70 conquest of Japan on Friday night that guaranteed the country's return to the FIBA Asia Finals for the second time in a row, Pangilinan urged the nation to unite and pray for the team's success.

MVP, as he is fondly called, went to Twitter to galvanize the support as Gilas faces its toughest test at 8:30 p.m. this Saturday night.

It has been a long and eventful journey for this Gilas team. And now we're finally here - one final step, one final game. #PUSO

— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) October 2, 2015

Let's set aside the ups and downs, the twists and turns, the pain and frustration and just focus, focus on today's game.

— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) October 2, 2015

It will be the greatest battle like no other contest which any of our past national teams fought.

— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) October 2, 2015

To win it we must. And we can - if we tell ourselves we can, if we fully believe we can, and with God's grace we can.

— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) October 2, 2015

Let us all pray for this special team, which has offered our people only their best and utmost.

— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) October 2, 2015

Be united with us in Changsha in prayer and kindest wishes for Gilas. #LabanPilipinas !

— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) October 2, 2015

Gilas faces its toughest test at 8:30 p.m. this Saturday night.

Only the unbeaten host, China, remains as the biggest roadblock to the country's long awaited return to the Olympics basketball since 1972 in Munich, Germany.

This latest iteration of Gilas team had taken punches left and right since its formation but two months after, they are all still standing and fighting.

And now it has come to this final battle between them, who are looking for vindication, and an old rival that is also a team on a mission and looking for redemption.