CONG. ROBBIE PUNO COMMENDS SMART GILAS NATIONAL TEAM
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 29 Sep 2011
Congressman Roberto ?Robbie? Puno has filed House Resolution 1761 commending and congratulating the Smart Gilas national basketball team for finishing 4th in in the recently concluded Fiba Asia Championship held in Wuhan City, China after dropping a 70-68 heartbreaker to South Korea.
Puno, a longtime basketball fan and sportsman filed the House resolution that gives credit to the Smart Gilas Basketball team ?for elevating the country?s performance in international basketball competitions.?
The youthful congressman added that ?through commitment and determination (Smart Gilas) has once again brought honor and pride to their countrymen.?
Puno pointed out that ?This is the strongest Fiba Asia Championship finish of the Philippine team since 1987? referring to the Philippines? first semifinal finish in 24 years. He added ?But we should not stop short of our Olympic Dream. The Dream lives on.?
Rep. Puno, who authored RA 10148 or An Act Granting Philippine Citizenship to Marcus Douthit also noted the performance of the naturalized player. Douthit averaged 21 points and 12 rebounds per game.
The Smart Gilas Pilipinas Team is composed of Andy Barocca, Pauliasi Taulava, Joseph Evans Casio, Jim Alapag, Christopher Tiu, Japeth Aguilar, Marnel Baracapel, Marcus Douthit, Kelly Williams, Marcio Lassiter, Chritopher Ryan Lutz, Raniel De Ocampo; with Head coach Rajko Toroman and assistant coaches Vincent Reyes of Talk N' Text and Ryan Gregorio of Meralco Bolts along with Charles Tiu, brother of Chris Tiu, Jude Roque, Djalma Arnedo, Oliver Bunyi and Jimbo Saret.
House Resolution 1761 also mentioned the fact that the Philippines once dominated the FIBA Asia Championship, winning the inaugural championship in Manila in 1960.
This was followed by four more gold medals in 1963, 1967, 1973 and 1985; with 2 more silver medals in 1965 and a bronze medal in 1969.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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