Gilas Pilipinas holds a press conference ahead of its 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers games at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Monday, August 24, 2026. Ryan Franco Verano, ABS-CBN News Intern
MANILA — A Gilas Pilipinas coach on Wednesday acknowledged that they had disappointed the Filipino basketball fans after an ignominious end to their title defense in the Asian Games.
The Philippine men's basketball team won the gold medal in the 2022 Asiad in Hangzhou, but they fell well short in Aichi-Nagoya where they didn't even make it out of the group round.
A massive 105-61 loss to China on Monday ended the Philippines' hopes of advancing to the knockout phase of the competition.
Criticism has since been rampant, with fans questioning the composition of the squad as well as the team's build-up to the Asian Games. The Philippines sent a team composed entirely of PBA players to Japan, with no naturalized player in the roster.
"We will take the criticism because it’s part of being a team, kumbaga kasama na 'yan e when you represent the country," Gilas deputy coach Richard del Rosario said upon the team's arrival in Manila on Wednesday.
"Syempre disappointed tayo, and we understand naman the sentiments ng mga kababayan natin dahil nga we went there with the goal of defending the gold," he added.
"So, syempre malungkot kami at hindi namin nagawa 'yung goal natin."
The team is home even before the official start of the Asiad, with the opening ceremony set for Saturday.
Del Rosario stressed that Gilas gave their "best effort," even with the lopsided result against China.
"I know 'yung result, sinasabi ang laki ng tambak, but you know, it’s basketball. Sometimes you bring your best, but the best is not good enough," he added.
Among those who have criticized the team was former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala, who noted that the ninth place finish was the "worst-ever" for the Philippines in the Asian Games. On social media, Eala called the result "horrific."
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, meanwhile, said that odds were against the national team.
"Sana hindi ganito. Iba talaga kapag walang naturalized players," he said.
— report from Mon Rodelas, ABS-CBN News