FIBA-Asia Tourney Opens Today
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 01 Aug 2013
Manila (PNA) ? The quest for three world championship slots reserved for the region starts today August 1 when the FIBA-Asia qualifying tournament opens shop with a heavy seven-game schedule at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Host Philippines itself will be vying for one of the berths at stake in the 16-nation conclave as it hopes to finish at least third opening its campaign against Saudi Arabia in a Group A action at 8:30 p.m.
Today?s menu pits title contender Iran against Malaysia in the 11-a.m. Group C opener, Jordan against Chinese-Taipei in another Group A tussle at 1:15 p.m., Japan against Qatar in Group B action at 3:30, defending champion China versus South Korea in Group B setto at 5:45 and Kazakhstan against Thailand in Group D at 10:30.
Over at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium inside the historic Rizal memorial Sports Complex in Manila will see India battling Bahrain at 6 o?clock.
Today?s winners in Group A, C and D virtually clinch one of the three seats in those four-team brackets to advance into the next round.
The disqualification of Lebanon due to the indefinite suspension imposed in that country by the International Basketball Federation reduced Group B into only three teams, Japan, Qatar and Hong Kong, which, for all intents and purposes moved them into the next round.
Qualifiers from Group A and Group B will compose Group E that will vie for to seats in the quarterfinal round. Those who will make it in Groups C and D will advance to Group F in their side of the Final Eight.
Despite the lack of competitive tune up games lack as a result of the Filipinos? disqualification from defending the Jones Cup crown in Taipei, national coach Chot Reyes expressed belief that the Nationals are capable of making it to the Final Four that will give them a chance to figure out in the battle for the top three.
?I like our chances of figuring out in the battle for the top three, ?Reyes told the Philippines News Agency on the eve of the opening ceremony. ?We did no get the preparations we liked but I believe we can survive the firs phase of the eliminations and continue our search in the nest rounds.?
?Tama lang yung grouping natin kasama ang Saudi, Taipei at Jordan. Medyo me kalakasan din pero hindi kasing lakas ng Groups C and D. Yung games natin against Jordan, Taipei and Saudi ang lalabas na tuneup para sa susunod na round, ? Reyes, who personally chose to be grouped with the Jordanese, Taiwanese and Saudis, reasoned out.
The last time the Philippines played in the World Championship was in 1975 when a team, led by Robert Jaworski and William Adornado topped the then Asian Basketball Confederation championship also held here 40 years ago in 1973.
The Philippines, which used to dominate the then ABC in its infant years, actually ruled, too, the 1985 edition in Malaysia but prevented from competing in the world tourney two years later because of the peaceful EDSA Revolution.
Reyes? boys, also known as Gilas Pilipinas, could only boast of 13 tune up games, seven in Lithuania where they attended a training camp last June and six in New Zealand, also during a camp only last July.
Reyes and his coaching staff ? Norman Black, Jong Uichico, Ryan Gregorio, Nash Racela and Josh Reyes, the head coach?s son, are one in describing the team as possessing a lot of speed and hustle, a touch of shooting and a bit of height.
Only three of the boys stand below six-feet -- team captain Jimmy Alapag, 5 foot-10, Jason Castro, 5-10 and L.A. Tenorio, 5-8, all paying point guards. All stand over six-feet with Larry Fonacier at 6-2, Gary David, 6-2, Jeff Chan, 6-1, No. 2 guards-forwards; Marc Pingris, 6-4, Gabe Norwood, 6-5 and Japeth Aguilar, 6-9, forwards; Marcus Douthit, 6-11, Ranidel de Ocampo, 6-10 and Jun Mar Fajardo, 6-10, centers.
The shooting touch will be provided by Alapag himself, Tenorio, Fonacier, David, Chan and De Ocampo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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