Despite the disappointing showing of the Gilas Pilipinas Cadets in the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup, Chooks-to-Go’s support for the young team remains unwavering.
The Chooks-to-Go-backed squad suffered their fifth loss in six tries on Tuesday evening, falling to the National University Bulldogs, 81-86.
Prior to this game, the Cadets had suffered three straight losses at the hands of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (69-75), the De La Salle University Green Archers (72-91), and the San Beda Red Lions (70-91). The Cadets were able to pick up their first win with a 72-63 victory over the Perpetual Help Altas before collapsing against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 72-78.
Though their outings have been frustrating, Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas believes that this journey is just part of the process for the 23 for 2023 Cadets.
“Masakit para sa amin to see our young players every after the games. Down sila at very disappointed,” expressed Mascariñas, the team’s chief backer. “But we always make them realize na every Gilas team starts off this way before learning how to bounce back from adversity.
“We joined the Preseason tournament not because we want to rack up the wins,” the sports patron pointed out.
“Any brand wants a winner but the main purpose of entering this tournament is that we want to give the Cadets an exercise to build brotherhood and for us to see the next step needed for them to grow as a team.”
With this, Mascariñas and his company will continue to support the development of the Cadets as some of the players will be called up for the upcoming 2018 Asian Games.
“Ano gagawin natin? Iwanan sila because of their losses in the Preseason Cup? That’s not going to happen. Walang iwanan,” Mascariñas expressed.
“The kids need us now more than ever.”
