PInoys turning Jeddah venue into Gilas Pilipinas homecourt

One unwavering aspect for Gilas Pilipinas in the ongoing 2025 FIBA Asia Cup has been the steadfast support of the Filipino crowd.

This was particularly evident during their intense match against Iraq, where the vibrant energy from the Filipino faithful—predominantly overseas workers from Saudi Arabia and nearby Middle Eastern countries—ignited the Nationals’ remarkable second-half surge.

Gilas fans transformed the King Abdullah Sports City into the Nationals’ de facto home court, illuminating the arena by turning on their flashlights and waving them in unison during timeouts, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of support.

The team will be looking for that same level of enthusiasm and backing as they prepare for a crucial clash against the hosts for a coveted quarterfinals berth, set to take place early on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

“It’s an incredible experience. We’ve felt that energy back home and basically everywhere we play around the world,” he remarked.

He acknowledged, however, that the influx of passionate Filipinos, who invest their hard-earned money to support Gilas, can inadvertently create a sense of pressure on the national team.

Despite this, the seasoned coach emphasized that the squad should channel that pressure into motivation instead.