Gilas Pilipinas honors country, family and fans with sweet Seaba sweep. See IMAGES
THE latest version of Gilas Pilipinas got its first taste of international glory after sweeping the rest of the competition in the 2017 Southeast Asian Basketball (Seaba) Championship, capped off by a 97-64 victory over Indonesia in the finale on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The victory that clinched the Philippines’ spot in the Fiba Asia Cup and Fiba World Cup qualifiers may have been expected by many, but it remains a worthy cause for celebration for the players and team staff who prepared hard and sacrificed plenty for the tournament.
Pinoy hoop fans had reason to cheer as well after Gilas entertained those inside the Big Dome with a rare feat of winning the championship in front of the home crowd.
Check out SPIN.ph’s images of the sweet moments of victory after Gilas took home the Seaba crown.
The 2017 Seaba champion, Gilas Pilipinas
Gilas naturalized player Andray Blatche proudly carries the Philippine flag
Winning debut for new Gilas boys Raymond Almazan, Roger Pogoy, Matthew Wright
June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar celebrate with former Gilas teammate Gabe Norwood
Aguilar pays tribute to the fans
Double victory for Manny V. Pangilinan as both Batang Gilas and Gilas Pilipinas dominated Seaba
Fajardo with Batang Gilas towers Kai Sotto and Geo Chiu
Calvin Abueva proud to fly the flag in his return to Gilas
Jayson Castro and Almazan take their kids at center court for the celebration
Victory ride for Abueva's son
New dad Troy Rosario plants a sweet kiss on his inspiration
Fellow proud father Almazan follows suit
Abueva with a personal gift to the Ultras Filipinas
Salamat Gilas. On to the Fiba Asia Cup and Fiba World Cup qualifiers