Gilas Pilipinas battles Angola tonight, in what is expected to be a bounceback game, after losing to world number 27 Dominican Republic led by NBA Star Karl Anthony Towns by just six points, 87-81.
While the result may have been a loosing note, Gilas Coach Chot Reyes said the team learned from the experience and is now looking forward to going up against Angola, which is a formidable opponent as well.
Courtesy: SBP
“If you give your best, it’s easier to come back kasi wala kang pinagsisisihan. Mahirap yung meron kang sana ganito o sana ganoon yung ginawa ko,” Reyes said.
“I thought we gave our best. They beat us, ganoon talaga. It’s easier for us to come back from that,” he said as he said that all players promised him a win today.
Coach Reyes said that they are not taking Angola lightly, after the team gave basketball powerhouse Italy a tough match before collapsing in the end.
Courtesy: FIBA
The Philippines is ranked 40th in the World Cup, and their opponent, Angola, is a number down at 41.
“Malakas ‘yung Angola. “I’ve always thought that Angola is a very high-quality, top team,” Reyes said.
“We are not overlooking them at all. We are really, really preparing,” he said.
Courtesy: FIBA
Among the players that Coach Reyes is concerned about is NBA player Bruno Fernando, who made 13 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists against the Italians.
He is also studying Childe Dundao, who led the team with 19 points, highlighted by four three-point shots.
“We have to make sure that we will be able to stay in front of those guys, especially Childe, he’s quick,” Reyes said.
EAST LOSSES TO WEST
The games of the FIBA World cup saw Asian teams losing.
This shows that the Asian teams remain on equal footing in the joust for a coveted berth in the Paris Olympics.
Courtesy SBP
Minus Gilas Pilipinas who just lost by 6 points, the rest of the Asian teams – China, Japan, Iran, Lebanon, and Jordan were routed by their opponents as the first two days of the global games went underway.
Despite the defeat, the Philippines posted the lowest losing margin as all other Asian squads lost by at least 18 points.
GAME PLAN
Coach Chot Reyes said that the key to victory is addressing Angola’s pressure defense.
He also said that while the game against the Dominican Republic was heartbreaking, they need to move on from it.
“If you give your best, it’s easier to come back kasi wala kang pinagsisisihan. Mahirap yung meron kang sana ganito o sana ganoon yung ginawa ko,” he said.
“I thought we gave our best. They beat us, ganoon talaga. It’s easier for us to come back from that,” he added.
Courtesy: SBP
Scottie Thompson, who had five points during the game, said that they need to step up more and help Jordan Clarkson on the offense.
Thompson admitted that they should not rely heavily on the Filipino-American who gave his heart out during the match.
Courtesy: SBP
Clarkson said after the loss to Dominican Republic was a bitter pill to swallow, but they should focus on their next two games
“Like I said, some things didn’t go our way towards the end. We just got to finish well and move on to the next one,” Clarkson, who finished with 28 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals.
Gilas will battle Angola on Sunday at 8 p.m., and hopes to register a win for their first World Cup victory since they beat Senegal in the 2014 edition.
The game takes place at the Araneta Coliseum after Italy’s match against Dominican Republic.
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