Senators were among the Filipinos who showed support for Gilas Pilipinas en route to its rousing 96-75 win over China in the FIBA World Cup at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Saturday night.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Senators Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa and Christopher "Bong" Go was seen wearing matching black shirts with the print "West Ph Sea," short for West Philippine Sea.

"Congratulations Gilas Pilipinas! That's the heart of the Filipino that you've shown fighting to the very end. I salute all the players, coaches, and fans because 'our never-say-die attitude' gave us the hope to score a victory in the FIBA World Cup," Go, himself a prolific basketball player, said in Filipino.

"While we were saddened by our not qualifying for the Olympics, Gilas did not disappoint the home crowd by showing a big potential for future competitions," he added.

He said the victory over a Chinese team boosts the morale of Filipinos amid the challenges the country is facing in the West Philippine Sea being claimed by Beijing as part of its territory.

WPS ours!

Asked about the WPS shirts he and the other senators wore during the game, Go said they were given to them to show their being one with the team and the country's territorial sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

"The West Philippine Sea is ours!" Go said. "This victory is also for all of us."

For Zubiri, the Philippines, even through basketball, was able to show it would not be bullied by China on the home court, seemingly referencing similarly gallant stands made by the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy in the WPS.

"This was the most important game of all! For our pride and for our motherland, the Philippines," Zubiri said. "We may not have won any of our games for the world championships, but this win was the sweetest of all."

Likewise, Villanueva described the Gilas Pilipinas' victory over China as the country's "best win."

Biggest game

"Most important basketball game of the year! It feels like we won the championship! Yahoo!" he said. "Our Gilas Pilipinas fought well like each and every one of them knows the story of Ayungin, Recto Bank, Pag-asa Island, etc."

He added: "So proud of them! Everyone contributed! We saw a different Gilas Team; there's fire in their eyes."

Zubiri explained that their matching shirts with the print "West Ph Sea" was their response to China's new standard map which also included the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines.

10-dash line

"They released a 10-dash line; we wore the T-shirt as a statement that the West Philippines Sea is ours. Mabuhay Gilas! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!" he said.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said they have worn the shirts to "awaken the patriotic spirit of our Gilas Pilipinas and motivate them to secure the victory which is symbolic for us Filipinos in light of the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea."