(JOURNAL NEWS) SENATOR Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed a resolution extolling Gilas Pilipinas players for their historic victory in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China – the first men’s basketball gold medal since 1962.
“The success of Gilas Pilipinas brings immense pride and honor to the country and exalts the overall image of the nation,” said Estrada, adding that the national basketball team impressively accomplished multiple history feats in the latest edition of the Asian Games, which culminated in the return of the much-coveted basketball championship to the Philippines.
Gilas reclaimed the country’s championship crown it won and held consecutively four times – 1951 in New Delhi, 1954 in Manila, 1958 in Tokyo, Japan; and 1962 in Jakarta, Indonesia. It won against undefeated Jordan with a 70-60 score.
In Senate Resolution No. 823, Estrada said Gilas’ victory also established Team Philippines as one of the greatest national basketball teams in the region with a total of five gold medals throughout the history of the Asian Games.
“The remarkable players of the national basketball team demonstrated unparalleled teamwork and sportsmanship throughout their campaign and embodied the Filipinos’ unyielding spirit and resilience. Their momentous achievement also proves the Filipinos’ skill and capacity to succeed in the sport against taller opponents, higher-ranking teams, and seemingly insurmountable odds and challenges,” the senator said.
“Our exemplary athletes has become role models for the younger generation to also take up sports as a worthwhile endeavor and to foster physical health, self-discipline, strength of character, perseverance, and excellence,” Estrada added.
The Asian Games, which was participated by more than 12,000 athletes from 45 countries in Asia, is a quadrennial continental multi-sport event considered as the biggest and most prestigious athletic tournament in the region.
Gilas delivered the country’s fourth gold media in the Asiad following the victories of Ernest John Obiena in the men’s pole vault, Margarita Ochoa in Jiu-jitsu women’s 48-kg class, and Annie Ramirez in Jiu-jitsu women’s 57-kg class.