PH Embassy, Filipino Community in Iran Cheer for Gilas Pilipinas
The opening tip off of the Philippines-Iran basketball match in Tehran, Iran. (Tehran PE photo)
TEHRAN 19 September 2018 – The Philippine Embassy in Tehran and the Filipino Community turned up in full force to cheer on Gilas Pilipinas, the Philippines national basketball team, during its game against Iran on 13 September 2018 at the Azadi Gym in the Iranian capital.
Gilas Pilipinas arrived in Tehran on 11 September 2018, two days before its match against the Iranian team at the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Before the start of the much-contested game, Ambassador to Iran Wilfredo C. Santos took the opportunity to meet with Gilas Pilipinas Head Coach Yeng Guiao to express support for the Philippine team against Iran, which has never lost a game in the home court and which has recently won the silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games.
Ambassador Santos also met with Iran Basketball Federation President Dr. Ramin Ahmadi Tabatabaei, and informed him of the Embassy’s thrust to improve cultural exchanges—including sports exchanges—to foster greater Philippines-Iran friendship and understanding.
The Ambassador also expressed his hopes for greater interaction in friendly matches between Philippine and Iranian athletes.
Gilas Pilipinas fought valiantly in a neck-and-neck battle with the Iranian team for the first three quarters of the game, before the home court defenders broke away with its long-range three-point shooting in the fourth quarter.
Filipino-German Christian Standhardinger was the highest scorer in the game with 30 points. END
For more information, visit www.tehranpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/philippineembassy.tehran
Ambassador to Iran Wilfredo C. Santos and Vice Consul Siegfred T. Masangkay gamely pose with members of the Filipino community in Tehran which came in full force to support Gilas Pilipinas. (Tehran PE photo)
Ambassador to Iran Wilfredo C. Santos with Gilas Pilipinas Head Coach Yeng Guiao. (Tehran PE photo)
Ambassador Santos with Iranian Basketball Federation President Dr. Rahmin Ahmadi Tabatabali (Tehran PE photo)