Nang dumating si Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan sa Jakarta, Indonesia ay napatumba niya ang local hero nilang si Stefer Rahardian sa ONE: ETERNAL GLORY noong Enero. Umaasa din siya na ang kanyang mga iniidolo ay papalarin ding manalo tulad niya.
Bilang isang die-hard fan, isa si Catalan sa libo-libong Filipino na manonood ng laro ng Philippine Men’s National Basketball team sa Qatar at Kazakhstan ngayong weekend para sa finals ng FIBA World Cup Qualifier.
Ang 28 anyos ay kampanteng mananalo ang Gilas Pilipinas.
“Been watching them ever since, their courage is unmatched. I know they have what it takes to win regardless if it’s in their opponent’s homecourt,” sabi ni Catalan.
“These guys have discipline and heart which for me are the two most important traits an athlete must have.
“They have great people who are guiding and supporting them, starting with the coaches and of course the millions of Filipinos who are praying and cheering for them.”
Sa kabila ng 1-3 na resulta sa kanilang huling mga laban, nasa magandang posisyon pa rin sila lao na’t kasama nila ang naturalized center na si Andray Blatche na maglalaro sa huling dalawang laban.
“Despite our disadvantage in some areas of the game, I believe we can still manage to win games because of our heart and skill,” banggit niya.
“Gilas Pilipinas will show its will to win and will rise to the occasion. They will show the rest of the world that more than our hearts, our lives are part of this sport,” pahayag niya.
“They will defy the odds and will show why we’re one of the best basketball countries in the planet.”
-ONE Championship
