BEIJING — The statement of President Rodrigo Duterte about Gilas Pilipinas losing to Italy should serve as a motivation as it heads to the FIBA Basketball World Cup this weekend.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Nationals should be fired up in its crucial game against the Italians in which a victory would give them a handsome chance of making a historic run in the prestigious 32-nation tournament set in the southern Chinese city of Foshan.

“The statement of the President that you will lose to Italy should serve as a big challenge,” said Panelo in a briefing with the Philippine media delegation at the Grand Hyatt Hotel here.

In a previous statement, the President said the Filipino dribblers have zero chances against the Italians, who will march with two NBA players in Danilo Gallinari of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Marco Belinelli of the San Antonio Spurs.

Panelo said Gilas Pilipinas has a golden chance to prove the President wrong.

“Like what I said, I’m speaking of the reality that we are at a disadvantage. But the ball is round. This is one rare time that the President would be happy to be proven wrong,” Panelo said, adding that the President would be in attendance when the Filipinos meet the Italians at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center.

“That’s why he will be going to the game to cheer for Gilas Pilipinas.”