MANILA—President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he believes the Philippines men’s national basketball team doesn’t stand a chance against the taller players of Italy at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

“Wala, talo tayo, walang laban. Sa China na lang tayo magpusta,” Duterte said, speaking to a group of Filipino-Chinese businessmen at Malacañang. “We will lose sa Italy. Ang lalaki kaya ng mga gag*ng ‘yan.”

But Duterte said the Filipinos have a better shot at beating Angola.

“Angola ito pwede natin ilibing ng buhay,” he said.

Gilas are bunched with Angola, Italy and Serbia in Group D.

Duterte could watch a Gilas game when he flies to China later this month and that the vice president of China will accompany him, should the plan push through.

He, however, did not specify if it is Vice President Li Yuanchao or Vice President Wang Qishan.

Gilas begins its preliminary schedule on August 31 against Italy, which could likely feature Oklahoma City Thunder forward Danilo Gallinari and San Antonio Spurs swingman Marcio Belinelli, along with a roster that will field a pair of 6-foot-3 guards as their shortest players.

The Filipinos go up against Serbia next on September 2, then Angola on September 4.

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