Actor Edu Manzano expressed his opinion on Tuesday, July 19 that Filipinos should put some attention on other sports rather than focusing on a single sport like basketball.
The national team exited the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup after suffering a humiliating loss against Japan, 102-81. This means that Gilas Pilipinas will not be able to play in the quarterfinals for the continental championship—a first since 2007.
Gilas committed 17 errors and 23 turnovers during their match against Japan.
Manzano on Twitter pointed out that there are other sports where Filipinos have shown great potential.
“Time to reassess putting so much of our resources in int’l basketball. Consider these latest achievements by women …. karate, skateboarding, golf, weightlifting, and most recently football. Sports patrons should spread the love.”
Time to reassess putting so much of our resources in int’l basketball. Consider these latest achievements by women …. karate, skateboarding, golf, weightlifting and most recently football. Sports patrons should spread the love.
— Edu Manzano (@realedumanzano) July 19, 2022
The actor pointed out that the women’s category showed great promise in giving the Philippines a gold medal.
In the recently held 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, Filipina Karateka Junna Tsukii bagged the gold after defeating world no. 2, Yorgelis Salazar.
Margielyn Didal, who made waves in the skateboarding competition during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is already preparing for the Paris 2024 at the World Street Skateboarding Championships in Rome.
In terms of golf, Justin De Los Santos who just competed in the Japan Golf Tour will be representing the country in the upcoming 2022 British Open on Thursday.
Just recently, weightlifter Angeline Colonia bagged two gold medals and a silver during the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The 15-year-old athlete also broke the world and Asian records after accumulating 134 kg in total weight lifted.
Manzano also mentioned football (women’s) after the Philippine National Women’s Football Team snagged the country’s first-ever ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Football championship. They will also represent the Philippines in the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
Although Gilas have lost, their coach, Chot Reyes, revealed that NBA player Jordan Clarkson will be joining the team in hopes of getting a spot in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers in August.
