Former Gilas Pilipinas players tip their hats off to successors after sensational win over Korea

Former members of Gilas Pilipinas celebrated the win of the men's national basketball team against South Korea with a Twitter party on Wednesday night.

The nationals eked out an 81-78 victory against the Philippines' regional archrival and they did it with  a lineup that consists of mostly young players from the collegiate circuit.

Gilas veteran and former team captain Gabe Norwood commended the whole squad, who secured the country's ticket in the FIBA Asia Cup.

"Coach Tab and the staff made the most of their time and preparation! Proud of the young fellas putting it to work on the court," Norwood said.

Coach Tab and the staff made the most of their time and preparation! Proud of the young fellas putting it to work on the court! ???????????????????????? @FIBAAsiaCup #LabanPilipinas #puso

— Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) June 16, 2021

Meanwhile, Thirdy Ravena, who played in the first window of the qualifiers, was in awe of SJ Belangel's game-winner.

"Grabe kayo panoorin sobrang nakakatuwa! Grabe ka SJ!" Ravena said.

Grabe kayo panoorin sobrang nakakatuwa! ???????? Grabe ka SJ!

— Thirdy (@ThirdyRavenaaa) June 16, 2021

Former Gilas head coach Chot Reyes also could not contain his excitement and kept tweeting the whole game.

COUNTED!!! Gilas Wins!!!

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) June 16, 2021

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and 2019 Southeast Asian Games Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone could not help but imagine a jam-packed venue after the Gilas win.

"Just wow! Only thing missing was the fans! Imagine a full house in Araneta or in the Philippine Arena. That would have been something to behold!"

Congrats again, Gilas. Just Wow! Only thing missing was the fans! Imagine a full house in Araneta or in the Philippine Arena. That would have been something to behold!!

— Tim Cone (@manilacone) June 16, 2021

Former Gilas players Kiefer Ravena and LA Tenorio also joked that the lineup  mostly consists of players from their alma mater, the Ateneo de Manila University.

Congrats din pala Ateneo- Pilipinas ???????????? ????????#OBF #LabanPilipinas

— L.A Tenorio (@LA_Tenorio) June 16, 2021

May SJ, Dwight, Kouame pa pala kami. https://t.co/4RmQPMqHrX

— Kiefer Ravena (@kieferravena) June 16, 2021

Gilas Pilipinas will be back in action on Friday against Indonesia and on Sunday against Korea.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA News