GILAS PILIPINAS READY TO GO ALL OUT TO MAKE HISTORY
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 30 Aug 2014
The Gilas Pilipinas national basketball team is ready to go all out to make history as it begins the daunting task of trying to fulfill their eminent benefactor, businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan?s dream of making it to the second round of the 2014 FIBA World Basketball Championships in Spain which opens today with ?live? coverage of the game against Croatia at 6:30 p.m. on TV 45.
The Philippines returns to the World Cup stage after a lapse of 40 years following an epic and emotional eleven day ride in August last year when the nationals beat arch rivals South Korea to clinch a place in the coveted 24 team roster in Spain after eventually losing to mighty Iran in the finals minus the injured naturalized player Marcus Douthit.
Head coach Chot Reyes in a lengthy interview with the Manila Standard/Viva Sports yesterday afternoon Manila Time said ?we have bo choice but to go all out and be not afraid to lose by playing at a fast pace? although he pointed out that it could leave the nationals vulnerable if things don?t go well.
For things to go well Reyes told us, ?we have to shoot well from the outside and if we limit our turnovers we are in with a chance.?
Reyes believes that our best chances would ironically be against Croatia and Senegal, the two teams that tower over the other teams in the Philippines group including Greece, Argentina and Puerto Rico. He said ?they are not just towering, they are huge.?
Despite the overwhelming physical difference of Croatia, Reyes said the Gilas Pilipinas players ?spirits are okay, they are excited but with some apprehension.?
A bit of good news is that Asia?s top point guard Jason Castro will play ?after undergoing a full contact practice yesterday (Thursday)? but that the question over naturalized player Andray Blatche?s eligibility to play in the Incheon, South Korea Asian Games which follows soon after the World Cup was ?an unwelcome distraction and we are trying to brush it aside and stay positive after high energy practices.?
Reyes pointed out that he wants his players ?to be sharp but not overextended.?
The coach feels that ?two wins, hopefully in our first game against Croatia and our last game against Senegal should get us a tie at least? for a spot in the second round.
Looking ahead to the opening game against Croatia, Reyes ?there are no ifs and buts. We have to find a way to win? even as the International Business Times pointed out that Croatia?s shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic who was recently signed by the Brooklyn Nets, stands 6?8? and in the Eurobasket averaged 17.1 points and 4.1 rebounds a game.
The International Business Times reported that ?Argentina and Greece lead Group B and Croatia is another top team while Puerto Rico is a dark horse looking to crash the party at the top and underdogs Philippines and Sengal aim for an upset or two.?
The newspaper listed Gabe Norwood alongside Bogdanovic as among the six players to watch in Group B stating ?the 6?6? Philippines small forward and former George Mason NCAA) bench player has established himself as one of the most versatile players in the PBA, the pro league in his home country. Norwood is expected to bring the same versatility on both ends of the floor as he will be tasked to contribute on offense and to contain the opposition?s best offensive perimeter player.?
Reyes emphasized that Croatia ?is not a weak team but they don?t know what to expect? and the Philippines could capitalize on this.
He said Filipino basketball fans have to realize that because of the overwhelming size difference our players ?legs get tired because for one stride they take, we need to take three in an effort to be competitive.?
Realistically, the chances of Gilas Pilipinas will depend on Blatche who impressed Pangilinan as he watched the team?s last practice. Reyes indicated that despite the uncertainty of his Asian Games stint, Blatche is ?focused and coming along nicely and has had some good practices.?
He revealed that Blatche ?has had to make a lot of adjustments because unlike the NBA?s Brooklyn Nets he is the main man which means he cannot afford to pick up early fouls.?
In a parting message Reyes said ?if we get 100 million Filipinos to say a prayer for us, it will be truly powerful.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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