GILAS AIMS TO FINISH 5TH IN ASIAD BASKETBALL
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 30 Aug 2018
Already assured of an improved finish better than seventh the last time around, the Philippine basketball team tries to improve further to fifth when it faces Syria in its final outing in basketball tournament Friday at the GBK Hall in Jakarta.
Winners, 113-80, the last time they played in the quarterfinal round, coach Yeng Guiao?s hastily formed side battles a team with an unknown strength and playing style, battles the Syrians at 7:30 p.m. (Mania Time) looking for a third win that would be enough to end up two ranks where their predecessors? landed four years ago in Incheon, South Korea.
?I think we?re just starting to blend well already. It?s too late already for a medal finish but we?ll be consoled getting fifth place considering what our boys went through just to get here,? Guiao told this writer in a telephone interview Thursday.
Except for Syria?s 76-66 triumph over Indonesia in the other Final Eight encounter, Yeng was yet to be informed of the scouting report from his assistant coaches as to how the Syrians play.
Media accounts of the Syria-Indonesia tussle only mentioned that Tarek Aljabi finished with 33 points as the Syrians outscored the hosts, 26-9, in the second quarter for a 52-24 halftime lead.
Indonesia tried to mount a comeback in the fourth after scoring 25 points in he period to no avail.
?Well, hindi naman siguro mas tatangkad pa at mas malaki pa ang mga ito sa China at Korea (I don? believe they?re taller and heftier than China and Korea,? Guiao said rather jestingly.
What the Philippine mentor was sure of is that his Fil-foreign reinforcements Jordan Carlson and Christians Stanhardinger will continue improving on their games.
?For one Jordan had just tasted victory wearing the national uniform and he was very proud of it,? Guiao said, adding he was still not sure fielding in Rain or Shine?s James Yap who was suffering from an ankle injury since the Filipinos? loss to Korea.
?James is injured. He has an ankle injury. We didn?t want to aggravate it. It has been there sincte the Korea game so we didn?t want to risk it,? he explained.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026