Duterte to watch Gilas Pilipinas game with Chinese VP

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte confirmed he will watch Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup in Foshan, China but admitted he’s not getting his hopes up for the Pinoy cagers against taller teams like Italy.

The Chief Executive will be visiting China for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and will take the opportunity to see Gilas in action in one of their group games.

No less than Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan will accompany the President in the game. The Filipinos face Italy on Aug. 31, Serbia on Sept. 2 and Angola on Sept. 4.

“Ang problema ang unang kalaban natin Italy. Walang laban, wala tayo dyan. China na lang tayo pumusta (Problem is, we’re up against Italy. We don’t have a chance against them. Better to place bets on China),” Duterte said before the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Malacañang Tuesday night. “We will lose dito sa Italians, ang lalaki kaya niyang mga – yan (The Italians are much bigger).”

Duterte didn’t say anything about Gilas’ second opponent in group play, Serbia, but gave Phl five a vote of confidence in its match-up with Angola.

“Ang sunod natin Angola. Ah ito, pwede natin ilibing nang buhay,” he said.

The President is also set to go to Fujian City where he would lead the inauguration of a building dedicated to his late mother Soledad “Nanay Soling” Duterte at the University of Fujian.

“But before that, samahan ako ng Vice President mismo ng China doon sa basketball,” said Duterte.

Sen. Christopher Go said the President’s presence should boost the Filipino dribblers.

“Sabi ko kay Pangulong Duterte, suportahan natin ang ating team especially the first game kasi most likely, make or break itong larong ito. Kapag nanalo tayo sa Italy, malaki po ang tsansa natin na makapasok sa next stage. With most likely the presence of the President, magiging magandang boost po ito,” he said.

Go, who presided over yesterday’s organizational meeting of the Senate sports committee, said Gilas can offset its disadvantage in size with speed, heady play and outside shooting. – With reports from Olmin Leyba, Edith Regalado, Alexis Romero