Sen. Bong Go, on Monday, 1 August, filed Senate Resolution no. 83 urging the Committee on Sports to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the ways to support Gilas Pilipinas — the Philippine men’s basketball team.
Gilas Pilipinas fell short of completing a record-breaking 14th consecutive SEA Games gold medal in the men’s basketball division after losing to Indonesia in Hanoi back in May. This also put an end to the 33-year basketball dominance of Gilas Pilipinas at the SEA Games.
Aside from Go, the said that the resolution was also introduced by Senators Mark Villar, Francis Tolentino, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Senate Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva.
Go, who will continue to serve as Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, noted in the resolution that “avid Filipino Gilas fans have clamored that the team receives more support in order to improve their performance in international competitions.”
He added that “there is a pressing need to revisit sports relevant laws and policies which are aimed to support Philippine National Teams participating in international competitions and review any related measures that will ensure the competitiveness and welfare of Filipino athletes.”
The Philippines was also unable to reach the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Cup for the first time in 15 years after losing to Japan in a knockout playoff in Indonesia in July.
These losses came just 14 months before the Philippines co-hosts the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup with Japan and Indonesia, which will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the Mall of Asia Arena from August 25 to September 10 next year. The country will also host the final phase of the competition.