GILAS Pilipinas is asking its fans to show their support not only through cheers but also colors in its campaign in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena today and tomorrow.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas wants the Gilas supporters to show their unified and unstinting support to the home side by wearing white in the game against France tonight and blue in the equally crucial match against New Zealand tomorrow evening at the same 9 p.m. timeslot.
White and blue are the chief colors in Gilas’ uniforms.
Gilas sure would welcome whatever help it can get against World No. 5 France and the equally tall and hefty New Zealand crew, seven rungs above the Philippines in the FIBA rankings at No. 21.
Such a show of support and solidarity from the fans would be even more needed should Gilas makes the knockout stages, where it gets to meet either Canada and Turkey, 21st and eighth in the world, respectively.
The crossover semifinals are set July 9 with the finals scheduled the following day.
Only the winner of the OQT gets a ticket to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics set next month.
The Philippines last appeared in the Olympics’ basketball stage in 1972.
Games Today
(Mall of Asia Arena)
6:30 p.m. – Turkey vs. Canada (Group A)
9 p.m. – France vs.
Philippines (Group B)