Senator Bong Go said the cheers and enthusiasm of young basketball fans gave him an added boost as he joined the UNTV Executive Face-Off describing sports as a welcome break from the demands of public service and a positive avenue for keeping the youth away from harmful vices.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, suited up for the Senate Sentinels during the tournament and thanked supporters who cheered for the team and the other participating government agencies.
“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng fans po ng UNTV Executive Face-Off. Salamat po sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa Senate Sentinels at sa lahat po ng mga teams na narito. Maraming salamat po sa inyong panahon,” the veteran legislator said in a courtside interview.
Asked specifically about the young people who had been cheering for him, the seasoned lawmaker said seeing basketball fans enjoy the games helped wash away the exhaustion that comes with a demanding schedule.
“Nakakawala po ng pagod ’pag nakikita mong masaya po ang mga kababayan natin na nagchi-cheer sa inyo. ’Yun lang po ang aking fulfillment ’no sa larong ito,” the senator said.
“Win or lose, importante pinawisan tayo at masaya po ang mga basketball fans,” he added.
Go also thanked Kuya Daniel Razon and the organizers of the UNTV Cup, saying the Executive Face-Off gives public servants an opportunity to unwind, exercise and strengthen camaraderie outside their regular work.
“Sobrang busy po ng trabaho ng isang public servant. ’Pag nakakapagpapawis po kami, kahit papaano nawawala ’yung stress namin.”
“Napakalaking bagay po nito, UNTV Cup, sa amin. Alam niyo, lalong-lalo na itong Executive season, nakakarelax kami tuwing Sundays. Alam niyo, sobrang busy po ng trabaho ng isang public servant. ’Pag nakakapagpapawis po kami, kahit papaano nawawala ’yung stress namin,” he said.
In a separate sit-down interview, Go similarly underscored the value of sports for both physical fitness and mental well-being.
“Importante po makapagpapawis tayo. Ang importante rito, let’s promote camaraderie and sportsmanship,” he said.
Beyond enjoying the games himself, Go used the occasion to renew one of his longstanding messages to young Filipinos.
“At bilang Chairman ng Senate Committee on Sports sa Senado, iniingganyo ko po ang ating mga kababayan to get into sports, stay away from drugs, to keep us healthy and fit,” he said.
“Isang paraan po ’yan na ilayo natin ang mga kabataan sa masasamang bisyo through sports,” Go stressed.
He has consistently pushed for a stronger sports development system that gives young Filipinos opportunities from the grassroots level all the way to elite competition.
Go is an author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City, allowing qualified student-athletes to pursue their education while receiving specialized athletic training.
“Meron na pong eskwelahan na pwede pong mag-aral at the same time mag-training ang student athletes.”
“Meron na pong eskwelahan na pwede pong mag-aral at the same time mag-training ang student athletes,” he said.
Seeking to bring the same opportunities closer to aspiring athletes outside Luzon, Go filed Senate Bill No. 171, or the proposed National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act, which seeks to establish regional NAS campuses, with particular focus on the Visayas and Mindanao.
He likewise filed SBN 413, which seeks to institutionalize the Philippine National Games as a nationwide grassroots sports competition that can help discover and develop promising athletes from communities across the country.
Go also filed SBN 678, or the proposed National Tertiary Games Act, to establish a national collegiate multi-sport competition that would provide student-athletes another platform to develop and showcase their abilities.
His other sports measures include SBN 407 seeking expanded incentives and benefits for para-athletes, SBN 2242 proposing a National Sports Tourism Program, and SBN 2261 seeking stronger safety and welfare protections for student-athletes.
Go has maintained that government support should cover the entire athlete development pathway—from children first discovering sports in their communities, to student-athletes balancing education and training, to national athletes carrying the Philippine flag abroad.
He likewise pointed to the progress of Philippine sports in recent years, recalling the country’s first Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and two more gold medals at the Paris Olympics.
“Chairman po ako ng Senate Committee on Sports since 2019. Nakamit natin ang first ever gold sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics at dalawang gold naman po sa 2024 Paris Olympics. Suportahan po natin ang ating mga atleta,” Go said.
He also recalled the Senate Sentinels’ history in the Executive Face-Off, having won back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024 before being eliminated in 2025.
“Hopefully, sana makapasok kami sa semis ngayon. Masaya na po ako makapasok lang kami sa semis ngayong taong ito,” Go said.
He stressed that regardless of the final standings, the value of the tournament lies in sportsmanship, camaraderie, physical activity and the enjoyment it brings to supporters.
“Win or lose, importante ibinigay namin ang lahat,” he said.
Go ended with another appeal for Filipinos, particularly the youth, to make sports part of their lifestyle.
“When we are physically fit, healthy po tayo. Kaya tara na, get into sports,” he concluded.
