SEN. Bong Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, expressed his pride and excitement as he hosted a meet-and-greet for the Gilas Pilipinas Women's Under-18 basketball team on Thursday in his Senate office in Pasay City.

The country's Under-18 team recently crushed team Lebanon with a decisive 95-64 victory on June 30 at the Futian Sports Park in China to bag the championship title.

The win propelled Gilas Women's U-18 from Division B to Division A.

During the gathering, Senator Go expressed his admiration and support for the young athletes, highlighting the resilience and indomitable spirit that typify Filipino competitors.

"Our Gilas Pilipinas Women's Team Under-18 will soon be part of the Elite Team; some will remain in the Under-18. Our players are fighting even though we are smaller than our opponents," said Go in Filipino.

He continued by emphasizing the Filipinos' more enormous heart: "The Filipino is known to fight; the Filipino heart is bigger than our adversaries'. Gilas Pilipinas will fight, and good luck in future competitions," he added.

Earlier, Go was instrumental in securing financial support for the various initiatives and programs of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas through the Philippine Sports Commission. He also plans to gather more financial support for each player and coach on the Gilas Women's U-18 team.

Coach Julie Amos of the U18 team also expressed her gratitude for the support of Senator Go and other stakeholders.

"It is an honor that you took the time for our team. Thank you very much for your unending support of our team, especially today. We know that you came from Davao," she said. JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

Go reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the athletes: "As the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, I am always here in the background, continuously supporting our athletes. Let's support our Filipino Team."