BEIJING, China (The Adobo Chronicles, Beijing Bureau) -Host China is still in shock after a humiliating loss to Gilas Pilipinas at the 2023 Asian Games.

The Filipino underdogs miraculously clawed their way back from a massive deficit to defeat the Chinese team 77-76. Credit goes to Gilas coach Tim Cone masterfully shuffling players as needed in the last 1 1/2 minutes of the game, with China leading by 7 points.

Now, China is crying “Lutong Macau,” a popular Filipino idiom which means something was rigged. (It is believed that the idiom’s beginnings were in reference to Chinese restaurant cooking where ingredients are prepared or cooked in advance.)

But the Chinese crying foul seems out of place since they are using an expression that makes fun of no other than themselves. Shouldn’t they have used a generic or Chinese idiom in their sour-graping?

(Melchor Vegara contributed to this report)

BEIJING, China (The Adobo Chronicles, Beijing Bureau) -China has called for a rematch with Gilas Pilipinas after a humiliating loss at the 2023 Asian Games. The Filipino underdogs miraculously clawed their way back from a massive deficit to defeat the Chinese team 77-76, with Gilas coach Tim Cone masterfully shuffling players in and out as needed in the last 1 1/2 minutes with China up by 7.

Now, it seems that China is not willing to let this defeat slide.

China, with its trademark sportsmanship, has graciously offered the Philippines the chance to pick the date and venue for the rematch. But what’s really at stake here? It’s not just basketball pride; it’s the disputed territories in the South China Sea. 

China has boldly declared that if Gilas Pilipinas manages to pull off another victory, they’ll toss out all its their territorial claims in the South. China Sea against the Philippines. No need for pesky United Nations involvement or international arbitration. 

As of publication time, the Philippines has not issued a formal response to China’s challenge.

(Melchor Vergara contributed to this report)