Gilas Pilipinas booked a return trip to the FIBA World Cup after beating Kazakhstan in the final game of the qualifiers and after Korea topped Lebanon. Andray Blatche's 41 points was critical in the Philippines' dominant win.
Here's how coaches and players are reacting on social media.
World Cup bound! Maraming Salamat Team Pilipinas 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭! #LabanPilipinas pic.twitter.com/cgVmRRgyzn
— PBA (@pbaconnect) February 24, 2019
Congrats Coach Yeng and the entire Gilas Pilipinas squad! Back on the World Stage!!! #FIBAWorldCup2019
— Jimmy Alapag (@JAlapag3) February 24, 2019
🇵🇭🏀 https://t.co/RhQllDX9kt
That's why Blatche needed to be on the team when available. Congrats Gilas!!
— Chris Ross (@cmross6) February 24, 2019
A healthy in shape Blatche is a problem!!! On top of the rest of Gilas playing at their best! Way to go guys. Happy for you!
— Joe Devance (@jdv_38) February 24, 2019
Congrats Gilas ❤🇵🇭🙌 #WorldCup
— Carl Cruz (@carl_cruz04) February 24, 2019
Thank you Lord! Congratulations Gilas Pilipinas! World Cup bound. #fibaworldcup2019
— Ranidel De Ocampo (@jutaca33) February 25, 2019
🇵🇭 🙏🏽🙌🏽 #LabanPilipinas https://t.co/4WVNpToUTP
— Solomon Mercado (@M3rcMyWords) February 24, 2019
WORLD CUP!! 💯💯💯💯💯
— Kiefer Ravena (@kieferravena) February 24, 2019
#ParaSaBayan!! 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
— Thirdy (@ThirdyRavenaaa) February 24, 2019
Laban Pilipinas!! 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
— L.A Tenorio (@LA_Tenorio) February 24, 2019
Congratulations Gilas Pilipinas! 🙌🏻 🇵🇭 👊🏻 #Gilas #LabanPilipinas https://t.co/N0g0PHGEq7
— Danny Seigle (@dannyseigle42) February 24, 2019
World Class! 🙏🏽☝🏽 #LabanPilipinas 🇵🇭
— Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) February 24, 2019
Congrats Gilas 🇵🇭!!!! After a 40-year absence, we've now qualified for 3 straight Men's World Cups - 2014, 2019, & 2023. Plus our Batang Gilas also qualified for the U-18 World this year #💪🇵🇭❤️
— Chot Reyes (@coachot) February 24, 2019
TV5 President and former head coach Chot Reyes also chimed in.