Zubiri: T-shirts told ‘bully’ China that West Philippine Sea is ours

The T-shirts that several senators wore during Gilas Pilipinas’ winning match against China at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup on Saturday were a message to China that the West Philippine Sea (WPS) belongs to the Philippines, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said.

“We showed the bully in the North that we shall not be allowed to be bullied in our own home and that we rallied together as a Nation to pray and cheer for our Team Gilas!” Zubiri said in a statement on Sunday.

“We may not have won any of our games for the world championships but this win was the sweetest of all. Nagpalabas sila ng 10-dash line so itong pagsuot ng t-shirt is a statement na atin ang West Philippine Sea,” he added.

(China released its map with 10-dash line map so wearing this T-shirt is a statement that the West Philippine Sea is ours.)

Senate President Migz Zubiri: This was the most important game of all! For our Pride and for our Mother Land the Philippines. (1/2) Photo from Zubiri @gmanews pic.twitter.com/iI6HnDxwmd

— Hana Bordey (@HanaBordey) September 3, 2023

This was in reference to China's publication of a new map that has a ten-dash line, placing Taiwan, nearly the entire South China Sea, and the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh within its national boundaries.

The Philippines, among other countries in the region, has rejected China’s new map.

The Gilas Pilipinas, led by Jordan Clarkson's 34 points, closed out their campaign in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup on a high note as they blew out China, 96-75, on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In a separate statement, Senator Bong Go said that the game against China was a “morale-boosting win for every Filipino.”

“Nais lang namin ipakita sa pamamagitan ng T-shirt na iyon ang aming pakikiisa at walang tigil na suporta sa ating koponan at sa buong sambayanang Pilipino. Atin ang West Philippine Sea, atin rin ang panalong ito!” he said.

(We just want to show through that t-shirt our solidarity and unceasing support to our team and the entire nation. The West Philippine Sea is ours, this victory is ours too.)

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, meanwhile, stressed that the basketball win was dedicated to Filipinos, especially to the local fishermen who venture in the WPS.

"We wore that shirt to awaken the patriotic spirit of our Gilas Pilipinas and motivate them to exhaust all their remaining talents, skills and teamwork in order to secure the victory which is symbolic for us Filipinos in light of the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Senator Joel Villanueva also expressed his delight over the match results.

“Most important basketball game of the year! It feels like we won the championship!! Our Gilas fought well, like each and everyone of them knows the story of Ayungin, Recto Bank, Pag-asa island, etc.,” he said.

Senator Imee Marcos, for her part, said that after winning against China with 21 points, she proposes the Philippines to redraw its map too “to encompass the new ‘21-dash line of Philippines.’” — BM, GMA Integrated News