When the going gets tough: Yamaha stands firm in its support for Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA and Asian Games
Gilbert Chao · Oct 2, 2023 07:00 PM
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When it was announced that the Philippines would be one of the host countries and main tourney locations for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Yamaha Motor Philippines (YMPH) wasted no time supporting the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s Basketball team.
Officially named the Lifestyle Motorcycle of Gilas Pilipinas, Yamaha established its passion for supporting the Filipino athlete and the toughness it requires to achieve success.
PHOTO BY GILBERT CHAO
The Mio Gear, heralded as the toughest motorcycle in Yamaha’s Mio stable, was at the forefront of this partnership. And toughness is what the players of Gilas Pilipinas showed throughout their entire campaign—from selection to training, traveling across the seas for qualifying tournaments against the best of Asia, hurdling through distractions, and standing dauntless against unfathomable expectations.
When the FIBA World Cup was finally underway, it was a wave of overflowing passion by the Filipinos, and it was almost enough to push Gilas Pilipinas to the next level. But when it faced consecutive losses and was challenged by scrutiny, it was a test of character and a battle of wills.
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Like in every battle, it was time to play your tough. But through it all, Yamaha would not waver in its support. Finally, in the last match, Gilas Pilipinas drubbed China’s team and secured its spot in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Yamaha continues supporting the national team as it embarks on its next challenge - show its toughness in the Asian Games and finally claim the throne as the best basketball team in the continent.
Will Yamaha and Gilas Pilipinas achieve the much-coveted glory?
A moto-journo who spends most of his time on the saddle unless otherwise saddled with desk work. His curious nature and poor sense of direction often take him on unplanned adventures.
