Members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Deputy Speaker Roberto Puno and Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II have formally acknowledged and honored the efforts of business leader  Manuel V. Pangilinan in placing  the Philippines back on the international basketball circuit following the country’s commendable performance at the FIBA World Cup.

In ceremonies held at the Speaker’s Social Hall, the lawmakers also presented Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes and the members of the national team a resolution commending them for the “gallant efforts” and “competitive spirit” during the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup held in Spain.

The Gilas Pilipinas team won  a game, its first in 40 years, at the FIBA World Cup with its victory over Senegal at the initial round of the competition. As the president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Pangilinan played a pivotal role in marshalling support for the Gilas Pilipinas team.

"We in the House are all very proud of you, and we say let's give them a pat on the back to send them off to the next battles," said Belmonte during the presentation of Resolution 130 to the Gilas Pilipinas team.



Belmonte sits as the honorary chairperson of the National Unity Party (NUP), while Puno is its chairman. Puno filed the bill in the House that led to the naturalization of NBA player Andray Blatche, who played as a member of   Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA competition  and contributed greatly to the team’s  laudable performance. 

House Resolution 130 commending the Gilas Pilipinas team reads in part: "The hard work, strong determination and competitive spirit of the players and coaches of Gilas Pilipinas, which won the admiration and praise not only of the Filipino basketball fans but also of the foreign media and sports analysts covering the 2014 FIBA World Cup of Basketball, finally paid off when the team won their final group assignment against Senegal."

The Speaker likewise acknowledged the support of Pangilinan. "Of course we honor as well the person who has made possible the organization of Gilas Pilipinas. We honor him as well."

"The Philippine government, the national basketball team and the Filipino people are extremely grateful to Mr. Pangilinan for championing the Filipino talent, encouraging the Filipino spirit and assisting the country to reach greater heights in the field of sports," House Resolution 129 stated.

Continuing his advocacy to promote sports development in the country,  Pangilinan is  reportedly   vigorously campaigning for the Philippines to host the next FIBA World Cup in 2019, an event the country last hosted in 1978.