MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines stands to lose not only in a shooting war with China over the West Philippine Sea but also in the FIBA World Cup where it would face teams with much taller cagers, President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday.

Speaking during the oath-taking of Filipino-Chinese businessmen in Malacañang, Duterte stressed that the Philippines could not afford to go to war with China because it could drag other countries and result in massive destruction.

He said he would rather watch basketball than pick a fight with China. The East Asian country is set to host the FIBA World Cup 2019 this month.

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Duterte is expected to cheer for Gilas Pilipinas during his fifth visit to China.

"May basketball naman dun... Wala, talo tayo, walang laban (There's a basketball tournament there... We will lose)," Duterte said.

"Sa China na lang tayo magpusta (Let's just place our bets on China)," he added.

Duterte said Filipino players would be no match to their much taller Italian rivals.

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But he expressed confidence that the Philippine team could easily beat Angola.

"Angola, pwede natin ilibing ng buhay (We can bury them alive)," he said.

Duterte said the vice president of China would break protocol and watch the basketball tournament with him.

"The vice president of China himself will accompany me in the basketball game. It's a break in protocol. Why would I quarrel with them? Will the vice president of America escort me if I go there?" the president said.