The Philippine men’s national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas arrived in Manila from Turkey late Tuesday night, June 28, hours before a bomb exploded at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, killing 36 people and leaving hundreds injured – they couldn’t be more thankful to have made it back home safe and sound, stated news reports from the Philippines.
“Turkey was my home 4 nearly 3 years. So saddened & worried for friends there. Thank the Lord our Gilas and Turk teams are safe. #Prayers,” national team head coach Tab Baldwin posted on his Twitter account, according to an Inquirer.net report.
Players Marc Pingris and Andray Blatche also felt relieved to have escaped the tragedy.
“Grabe dito lang kami kanina pauwi galing Manila wala pang five hours bago nangyari to. lord salamat sa pag gabay mo sa amin ng team gilas. #prayforturkey #istanbul,” Pingris reportedly wrote on his Instagram.
“Me and my teammates was just there wow thank you God for watching over us I’m really lost for words I woke up to a lot of texts from friends checking on me I’m ok thanx love yal,” wrote the naturalized center.
Gilas is set to face Turkey anew in a tune-up game on July 1 at Mall of Asia Arena.
