Gilas cadets told to learn from adversity

MANILA, Philippines – Despite the disappointing showing of the Gilas Pilipinas cadets in the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, Chooks-to-Go's support for the young team remains unwavering.

The young national squad suffered its fifth loss in six tries Tuesday evening, falling to the NU Bulldogs, 81-86.

Prior to this game, the cadets suffered three straight losses — at the hands of the Ateneo Blue Eagles (69-75), the DLSU Green Archers (72-91) and the San Beda Red Lions (70-91). The Nationals were able to pick up their first win, a 72-63 decision over the Perpetual Help Altas before collapsing against the UP Fighting Maroons, 72-78.

Though their outings have been frustrating, Ronald Mascariñas of Chooks-to-Go, the crew's main backer, believes that this journey is just part of the process for the 23 for 2023 Cadets.

"Masakit para sa amin to see our young players every after the games. Down sila at very disappointed," expressed Mascariñas, the team's chief backer. "But we always make them realize na every Gilas team starts off this way before learning how to bounce back from adversity.”

"We joined the preseason tournament not because we want to rack up the wins. Anyone wants a winner, but the main purpose of entering this tournament is that we want to give the cadets an exercise to build brotherhood and for us to see the next step needed for them to grow as a team," he offered after the team's loss to NU.