Before Gilas Pilipinas embarked on the fifth window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Yeng Guiao made sure to let the players of Gilas Pilipinas know what they are fighting for.
Wednesday afternoon, Guiao and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas invited select legends who have been part of past Team Pilipinas squads. These included the likes of Rafael Hechanova, Tony Genato, and, of course, former senator Sonny Jaworski.
Once he took to the podium, Jaworski, an Olympian, gave this batch of national team some advice they will never forget.
Jaworski, now 72, played for the Philippines for 33 years. He is a two-time FIBA Asia Cup champion and was part of the team that won silver during the 1990 Asian Games. During that time, he fought tooth and nail on the court.
And it’s not because of the name on his back nor the company he was representing. It was about fighting for flag and country.
“Don’t think of your last name. Don’t even think of the company. Just think of Pilipinas. The real idea of what this is all about.”
Come Friday, Jaworski will just be like everyone else, as he will cheer his heart out for Gilas.
“I’m supporting them wholeheartedly.”
