MANILA - Vice President Leni Robredo expressed her support for Gilas Pilipinas after President Rodrigo Duterte said the team doesn’t stand a chance against Italy at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Robredo said the members of the Philippines men's national basketball team should be considered heroes.

"Para sa 'kin ang ugali ng Pilipino habang may buhay, may pag-asa. Alam natin kung gaano kagrabe 'yung trabaho ng ating players sa Gilas. Tinitingnan nating mga bayani na nagre-represent sa 'tin. Dahil haharap sila sa matitinding laban, ang kailangan ngayon suporta lang," she said Sunday.

(For me, Filipinos hope as long as they're alive. We know how Gilas players have a difficult job. We see them as heroes who represent us. Because they will be facing difficult opponents, support is what's needed right now.)

Duterte had said the team has no chance against Italy's taller players, which could likely feature Oklahoma City Thunder forward Danilo Gallinari and San Antonio Spurs swingman Marcio Belinelli.

"Wala, talo tayo, walang laban (We'll lose, we cannot fight). Sa China na lang tayo magpusta (Let's bet on China instead),” he said.

“We will lose sa Italy. Ang lalaki kaya ng mga gag*ng ‘yan (They're huge).”

Robredo, however, believes Filipinos could still put up a fight even if they are at a disadvantage.

"Tayong mga Pilipino talagang parati naman tayong dehado sa lahat pero pinapakita natin na lumalaban talaga tayo ng tunay. Sa mga Gilas players, maraming salamat po sa pag-represent sa ating bansa, proud kami sa inyo," she said.

(Filipinos are always at a disadvantage but we continue to fight. To Gilas players, thank you for representing our country, we're proud of you.)

"Alam namin na ibubuhos niyo ang lahat ng kaya niyong gawin. Matalo man o manalo, nagpapasalamat tayo. Talagang magchi-cheer tayo hanggang sa katapusan."

(We know you will give it your all. Win or lose, we still thank you. We will cheer for you until the end.)

Gilas begins its preliminary schedule on August 31 against Italy, followed by Serbia on September 2, then Angola on September 4.

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