Disappointment was visible on the faces of the SEA Games-bound Gilas Pilipinas squad during the Chooks-to-Go-hosted send-off for the team held at the EDSA Shangrila Hotel in Manduluyong City.
And who would be in the mood for a celebration, after the seniors Gilas squad was eliminated from contention at the hands of continental rivals South Korea, 118-86.
“We all know what happened last night sa game. Kasama sa motivation namin yun,” said Baser Amer, who is one of the seniors of the SEA Games squad at 24 years ‘young’.
“Kailangan naming ibawi ang mga kuya namin. Motivation yun for us to want it even more, be hungrier,” added Kiefer Ravena, who is gunning for a record fourth SEA Games gold.
Though the competition is different in the Southeast Asia, the team knows that there is a huge target on their backs after lording over the tournament for so long.
“As coach Jimmy [Alapag] reminds us, every sea games, the target in our back gets bigger and bigger. Yung focus namin has to be sharper and sharper also,” Ravena added.
“The Philippines right now is the power house and just to be able to go there and handle business, thats one thing in our mind. On Sunday night, we’ll be locked in mentally and physically,” stated Ray Parks Jr., who is making his third SEA Games appearance,.
Still, the young squad could not get their minds off the way their kuyas were basically manhandled by the South Koreans.
“Gusto lang namin ipagtanggol ang mga kuya namin,” vowed Amer.
“Gusto namin pagbalik namin sa Pinas, masaya tayo lahat.”
