It is a rarity that the highest leader of the country gets to watch a sporting event. Even more so when the country's national team is playing in it.
That is exactly what happened during the Gilas-France match in the opening day of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament when President Rodrigo Duterte made good on his promise to watch the game.
Gilas players June Mar Fajardo and Ranidel de Ocampo admitted that the mere presence of the former Davao City mayor at the Mall of Asia Arena to personally lead a crowd of more than 20,000 in cheering the national team was a big boost to their morale.
With his security detail in tow, Mr. Duterte made his way to the center of the court, and the crowd went rabid with chants of "Du-ter-te!"
The President graced the opening tip by doing the ceremonial toss, drawing thunderous roars from the crowd.
"Nakaka-proud at nandun 'yung Presidente natin na sumusuporta sa team," said the gentle giant Fajardo.
"Yung panonood ni Presidente, malaking bagay yung para sa katulad naming nagsisilbi rin sa bansa," said de Ocampo who is also vocal Duterte supporter.
De Ocampo adds, "Kasi hindi katulad nung ibang Presidente na sumusuporta lang pag championship na, hindi katulad nito una pa lang andyan na siya, nararamdaman na natin siya."
It was seen on big screens in the arena and for those who were watching at home that Duterte was watching the game with intent and didn’t leave the arena until the game was over.
The Filipinos exhibited quality basketball and grit in a losing effort, bowing to a final score of 84-93 in what should have been a runaway game for the 5th world-ranking French team.
It surely has been a case of a united Filipino nation brought by the President that made the outcome respectable.
Source: SPIN Philstar
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