Legislators led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez congratulated the Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team for its historic gold medal win at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
“With immense pride and joy, we stand united with the entire Filipino nation in celebrating this historic moment. Gilas Pilipinas has accomplished something truly extraordinary, securing our country’s first Asian Games basketball gold medal in 61 years, leaving an indelible mark in the annals of sports history,” Romualdez said.
“This landmark victory is a testament to the unwavering spirit and dedication of our national athletes, who have displayed remarkable skill, teamwork, and resilience throughout this journey. Their hard work and determination have borne fruit, bringing honor and glory to our nation,” he added.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to every member of Gilas Pilipinas, their coaches, and the entire support staff who played an integral role in this exceptional achievement. You have made our country proud, and your victory will serve as an enduring inspiration for generations of Filipino athletes striving for excellence. Mabuhay ang Gilas Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!” Romualdez said.
The Speaker also conveyed his “heartfelt congratulations” to Filipino jiu-jitsu fighter Annie Ramirez after she won the third Asiad gold medal for the Philippines, and the second straight from her sport.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Annie Ramirez for her outstanding achievement in winning the third gold medal for our country in the 19th Asian Games. Her dedication, hard work, and exceptional skills in jiu-jitsu have made us all proud,” Romualdez said.
“Annie’s victory is a testament to the resilience and talent of Filipino athletes, bringing honor not only to herself but to the entire nation, for which we are truly grateful,” said the leader of the 300-plus House of Representatives.
Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte and Bicol Saro Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan likewise lauded Gilas Pilipinas for its “slam dunk” by posting a payback win against the vexing Jordan team.
Villafuerte said their victory restores the Philippines to basketball supremacy in Asia after a six-decade drought.
“It was a slam dunk for Gilas as it put our basketball-crazed nation back to its erstwhile status as the king of hoops in this part of the world at the end of an uphill campaign that saw it winning by a single point, one after the other, against Asia’s two powerhouses—China and Iran—before exacting revenge on up-and-coming Jordan, which dealt its lone loss in this quadrennial tournament,” said Villafuerte, an extreme sports aficionado who also plays basketball himself.
“Nagpakitang gilas ang Gilas. Truly, puso is in their DNA,” said Villafuerte as he congratulated the 12 hoopsters on the Philippine team led by naturalized player Justin Brownlee and the coaching team led by the country’s most awarded professional basketball coach Tim Cone.
Yamsuan said: “To our Gilas team, your victory is proof that nothing is impossible with determination and hard work.” “Know that a proud and grateful nation awaits your return dahil ang tagumpay n’yo ay tagumpay ng buong sambayanang Pilipino. Mabuhay kayo!” he said.
Villafuerte said the Gilas team along with all our other athletes who have thus far made podium finishes in bagging gold, silver or bronze medals in the Hangzhou, China edition of the multi-sport event “have proven anew that Filipinos are world-class athletes.”
Villafuerte is one of the authors of a pending measure, House Bill 8495, seeking to grant subsidies and other incentives to young Filipinos who excel in sports as well as to the sports organizations or clubs that support these athletes.
He also authored Republic Act (RA) 11470 or “The National Academy of Sports Act,” which established the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City (NCC) Complex in Capas, Tarlac that provides educational scholarships and sports training to deserving Filipino athletes.