SBP Apologizes for Gilas’ Underperformance in SEA Games

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio formally apologizes to the devoted Gilas Pilipinas fandom for what was considered an underperformance by the national team in the recently concluded 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

“We at the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas share the disappointment of our Filipino basketball fans and take full responsibility for the results of our 31st Southeast Asian Games campaign. We apologize we fell short and were not able to give our teams better support that they needed to retain the gold,” Panlilio’s statement on Wednesday read.

It was the first time Panlilio spoke about the ill-fated Gilas Pilipinas’ SEA Games campaign.

Gilas Pilipinas, the favorites to win the gold medal, suffered a shocking loss to Indonesia in the men’s 5×5 basketball gold medal match on Sunday.

This effectively dethrones the Philippines as the best basketball nation in the SEA region and marks the first time the men’s national basketball team failed to capture the gold medal in the SEA Games since 1989.

Panlilio said that SBP is taking full responsibility for the failed Gilas Pilipinas camp.

“There are no excuses and we’ve learned valuable lessons,” Panlilio said.

He then added that Gilas Pilipinas will reclaim its spot as the top men’s basketball nation in the Southeast Asian region.

“We will bounce back and reclaim our spot,” Panlilio added. (GFB)