For the past two nights, Gilas Pilipinas Men’s head coach Yeng Guiao has been staying up late.
And it’s because he, just like the rest of the country, has been praying and cheering for Gilas Pilipinas Youth in its campaign in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
Though Gilas fell to a 0-2 record, Guiao lauded the gutsy stand that the young Filipinos put up, especially since they are playing a man down after AJ Edu’s injury.
“The way they’re playing, I’m very proud, especially yung kaninang madaling araw. I thought we had a really good chance against Argentina even without Edu,” said Guiao, as the Philippines only lost by four points to the world no. 9 squad.
Gilas Youth still has one game in the group stages – against Russia on Wednesday. After that, they will figure in the knockout playoffs.
Guiao believes that the young squad will try to rack up a win or die trying.
“I’m looking forward to the game against Russia,” he expressed. “Nagpunta tayo doon to compete and the two games that we lost, we were not overwhelmed; we were not intimidated by the other teams higher ranked than we are, bigger than we are.
“It is something to be proud of.”
