Duterte’s “wala, talo tayo, walang laban” remarks fuel Gilas Pilipinas

President Rodrigo Duterte has predicted that Gilas Pilipinas won’t stand a chance against Italy in the FIBA World Cup 2019 slated August 31 in China.

The President’s remarks may sound demoralizing but Gilas Pilipinas head coach Yeng Guiao is taking it as an added motivation.

“Well it doesn’t really bother us. I guess you just have to take that from a positive point of view. Your attitude should be positive. We should be able to just keep believing in ourselves,” said Guiao in an inertvew by CignalTV’s Paolo del Rosario that was reported by ABS-CBN News.

In a meeting with Filipino-Chinese businessmen at the Malacanang, Duterte said Italy is too big for the Filipinos dribblers.

The President suggested that the Filipinos should root for China instead.

“Wala, talo tayo, walang laban. Sa China na lang tayo magpusta. We will lose to Italy. Ang lalaki kaya ng mga gag*ng ‘yan,” the President said.

Guiao said Gilas Pilipinas is taking the President’s remarks constructively.

“The best approach is to  look at it as a challenge, just keep believing in what you can do. Whether we win or we lose, it’s really the way you carry yourself, the way you put out a good performance. And who knows what can happen?” added Guiao.

Duterte is set to fly to China later this month and may be able to watch the GIlas-Italy game.

Gilas Pilipinas will start its campaign against Italy on August 31 then will take on Serbia on September 2, and Angola on September 4.