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Gilas grateful to Duterte for attending France game

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/sports2/07/06/duterte-fiba_070616.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">President Rodrigo Duterte clenches fist as he appears on Philippines v France during the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Romeo Ranoco, Reuters</div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – There were speculations that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will watch the FIBA Olympic Qualifying game between France and Gilas Pilipinas on Tuesday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena, but it wasn&#x27;t until he made his way to the court that people realized that the rumors were true.Duterte, coming from an appearance at the Philippine Air Force&#x27;s 69th anniversary celebration at the Clark Air Base, was received rapturously by the Filipino fans at the MOA Arena as he entered the court, accompanied by officials of FIBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.He shook hands with members of both teams, and performed the ceremonial toss to the great delight of the fans. Later, after Gilas had bowed to France 84-93 to lose its first game of the OQT, he was shown still applauding the national team&#x27;s effort.(READ: <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2016/07/06/gilas-still-confident-must-win-new-zealand-13062">Gilas still confident in must-win against New Zealand</a>)Though still disappointed from the close loss, members of the Philippine national team could not help but express their delight at Duterte&#x27;s presence and their gratitude that he made time for their game.&quot;Sobrang excited akong maglaro, hindi na para sa sarili ko kundi para sa kanya,&quot; said Marc Pingris, one of the many PBA players who openly supported Duterte during the campaign period.&quot;So happy ako. Kahit paano &#x27;yung time niya, alam kong marami siyang ginagawa ngayon, pero talagang dumalo siya at nanood,&quot; he added. &quot;So nagpapasalamat tayo sa kanya.&quot;For Gilas veteran Ranidel De Ocampo, it was especially gratifying to see Duterte express his support for them in their very first game against a much higher-ranked team like France.&quot;Sobrang saya, kasi iba &#x27;yung pakiramdam na &#x27;yun, na nakikita natin na sumusuporta agad &#x27;yung president natin,&quot; De Ocampo said Wednesday after Gilas&#x27; practice at the MOA Arena.&quot;Kasi, &#x27;yung mga, &#x27;yung nagdaang president, nanonood lang pag championship na, &#x27;pag nanalo na. Pero ito, una pa lang, unang laro pa lang, nandiyan na, sumuporta na agad eh,&quot; he added.Duterte&#x27;s predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, watched the gold medal game of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship at the MOA Arena, when Gilas had already secured a berth in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.De Ocampo further noted that the only government officials who have been stalwart in their support of Gilas were Senator Sonny Angara and Congressman Robbie Puno, so it was an inspiration for them to see the head of state watch such a crucial game.&quot;Malaking bagay ito, Presidente ito,&quot; he said.De Ocampo and the rest of Gilas are disappointed that they could not hold on to their lead against France and failed to compete a fourth-quarter comeback, but they still have a chance to advance to the semifinal if they beat New Zealand in Wednesday&#x27;s game.They are hoping that if the team advances to the semis, Duterte can once again make an appearance, though De Ocampo said they will understand if the President cannot make it.&quot;Kung magkakaroon sa oras niya,&quot; he said. &quot;Kasi ngayong first 100 days niya, magiging busy rin &#x27;yan eh, inaayos niya pa ang opisina niya. Malaking bagay kung magagawan n&#x27;ya ng paraan, pero kung hindi, maiintindihan din naman namin.&quot;Gilas will take on New Zealand at 9 p.m. on Wednesday night.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

President Rodrigo Duterte was received rapturously by the Filipino fans at the MOA Arena as he entered the court, accompanied by officials of FIBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Gilas grateful to Duterte for attending France game

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Gilas grateful to Duterte for attending France game

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 06, 2016 02:09 PM PHT

Read More:

rodrigo duterte

gilas pilipinas

FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament

basketball

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